Utter Foolishness

June 19, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 2 Comments

“They must be really good people—to be able to offer forgiveness like that.”

Usually poised and articulate, the news commentator was flustered and stumbled over his words. “I don’t know what to say…it just doesn’t make sense.”

The world is confused.

They just witnessed family and friends of those slain in Charleston stand and offer forgiveness to their loved one’s killer.

These broken people are supposed to be screaming for revenge. We expect them to cry out demanding blood. They are in anguish—surely they are not capable of rational thought.

Where is the rioting? The finger-pointing?

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What is that Smell?

June 8, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

Have you ever had to investigate a suspicious household smell? Maybe someone forgets to take out the trash or a little food gets trapped in the kitchen sink. Or maybe a child’s laundry doesn’t quite make it into the hamper and ends up under a bed or thrown into a corner of the closet.

One thing about this kind of odor—it can’t be ignored. Or covered.

Now, you may think you know where I’m going with this. “She’s going to relate this to sin. Stuff about odor always comes back to sin.”

Nope. Not this time (although there is an excellent life-lesson there…).

Let’s take a different path.

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Do You Have the Wiggles?

June 1, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

I see it most Sundays during worship and it makes me smile—parents giving their little ones the look…

Be still. Pay attention, or else.

How I remember the days of three squirming, wiggling little girls! Lord, if they would just be still and quiet…

I’ll never forget a Sunday evening when one daughter did get still and quiet—and nodded off, hitting her head on the back of the pew loud enough to make me emit a little squeal. Answered prayer? Hmm….

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Come to the Mountain

May 22, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

The mountain-top experience…

For a few moments or days you’re transported above the everyday-ness of life to a place of worship, praise, and new perspective. Communion with God is over-the-top real and vibrant. You want to linger over His Word as His gentle whisper reaches to the corners of your heart. The weight of burdens and responsibilities ever-so-briefly fall away, giving freedom to lift tired hands in expressions of thanksgiving and praise. You have the longing to stay in these moments just a little bit longer…

This past week at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference was a glorious blur of like-hearted creative souls coming together to grow, learn, and share—with the ultimate purpose of fine-tuning our skills to glorify God through the written word. Friendships were formed and strengthened. Encouragement rained down from faculty, staff, and other attendees. To put it simply—it was fun.

Then came the time to say goodbye, with myriad promises to keep in touch and to hold each other accountable in the days ahead. We walked away from the mountain with fresh resolve—and perhaps, a bit of trepidation: Uh, Lord, I’m not sure about this…I felt so strong this week, but now I will be alone…

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A Prayer for a New Week

May 11, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

Lord,
I want to walk with You.
Not just on Sundays,
Or special occasions,
Or when the sun is shining…
But every day, in every way.
And Father, I want to be real.
Not caught up in tradition
Or habit
Or appearances.
I want Your ways,
Your eyes,
Your heart.
And in those moments
When I have the privilege
Of touching another’s life,
My deepest desire
Is to leave behind
The fragrance of You.

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thess. 5:24 NIV)

Take Up the Fight

May 4, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

Last week, in the violence that was Baltimore, a feisty, single mother-of-six caught the attention of the nation. Ignoring the risks of being out among the chaos, she recognized her only son involved in the rioting, and proceeded to chase him down and drag him home. It wasn’t neat, and it wasn’t pretty, but her actions grabbed at the heart of every mother watching it play out on television.

Why? Because in spite of the danger, in spite of what others would think, in spite of knowing her son wouldn’t like it…this mother fought for her child.

In an interview, she said, “Is he a perfect boy? No, he’s not, but he’s mine.”

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A Brand New Thing

April 27, 2015October 10, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

I have a confession to make.

Sometimes I feel, well…old. Tired. Done.

It usually happens when I catch my reflection somewhere and think, Who in the world is that? Or maybe I glance at my hands on the car’s steering wheel and get confused. Surely the rest of me doesn’t look that old!

Rather strange, this aging thing. I mean, really. What’s with the spots on my arms and the droopy eyelid thingy? And let’s not even talk about the weird aches and pains…

Regrettably, sometimes the whole visual thing seeps into my mind and heart and I’m tempted to just quit. What’s the point of learning, growing, striving? Maybe it’s time to put my feet up and let the world rush on by—just flip on the TV and put my brain on autopilot.

I have another confession to make.

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The Best Gift EVER

April 20, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

It had to be a humiliating experience.

Caught in the act of adultery. Grabbed by angry, self-righteous hands and cast into the midst of a shocked and angry crowd. Thrown before a little-known prophet. Bared body, soul and spirit, and certain of only one thing: imminent punishment.

Never mind that someone else is just as guilty, for she has not acted alone. The man has slipped away quietly, but she is here, in the dusty street, at the mercy of her accusers.

On the surface it seems to be a hopeless situation for there is nowhere to hide, no possible escape. But then the unforeseen happens. This man, this prophet looks deep into her eyes, into the long forgotten recesses of her heart and offers a gift.

The gift of a second chance.

There is no condemnation but there is accountability, and a choice. The simple but powerful words, “go and sin no more…” offer this broken woman a glorious hope. Scripture doesn’t tell us, but we wonder. What does she choose? Does she return to a world of darkness and shame or does she take that first trembling step of faith toward the light of Christ?

At the feet of Jesus we, like the adulteress, have a decision to make. We can continue in sin, succumbing to its decay and destruction.

Or we can reach for dusty sandals and nail-scarred hands.

Only by realizing there is no hope without Him can we confidently choose the life He offers. Saying “yes” to Jesus is a rebirth, and the beginning of a journey to inner beauty and holiness.

Oh Father, thank you for the gifts of grace and forgiveness. Help me to turn from the world and its ways and to reach for You. Let me shout with joy, I choose Jesus!

…and Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11 KJV

Diet Dr. Pepper and The Holy Spirit

February 19, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 1 Comment

I don’t go very long without a diet soft drink in my hand. When I feel the need for something to drink, nothing gets in my way until my thirst is quenched (Yay, DDP!).

In the same way, sometimes my soul feels so dry, and I long to drink in the soothing, soul-quenching grace of the Holy Spirit. The need becomes so strong that I drop what I’m doing and slip away to a private place—the bedroom, the bathroom, or the back porch.

When I go to my Father, I am never disappointed. He reveals to me my innermost self. He shows me the burdens that I thought I had laid at His feet, but which I later took back upon myself. He reminds me of the needs of others, that perhaps I had promised to pray for, but didn’t.

He listens as I confess what He already knew.

He restores my soul.

One of my favorite verses is, For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Phil. 2:13). This scripture is full of such excitement and promise! When I have a longing to pray, it’s not because of anything I’ve done. . .but because my Creator is moving in me.

What an awesome thought! It never ceases to amaze me that God actually takes the time to notice insignificant me and to draw me closer to Him. What’s even more amazing is that in His eyes, I’m not insignificant at all. In fact, even when the whole world may be against me, my Lord thinks I’m pretty special.

Wow, what a Savior!

Father, thank you for the gift and the privilege of prayer. Thank you for placing within my heart a longing to know You. And thank you for satisfying the thirst of my soul.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

(Adapted from Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional)

2 List-Making Habits Guaranteed to Shrink Your Soul

February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

So and so didn’t speak to me at church yesterday…she didn’t even make eye contact!

I can’t believe she said that…my feelings were really hurt…

Well, back in 1992, he was a real pain to work with…

I remember how she lived back in high school…

Believe me, he can’t be trusted…

It’s real and it’s dangerous. That soul-shrinking habit of keeping track of the offenses of others, and in the process, hanging on to unforgiveness.

Oh, how we love to keep those lists! That good ‘ole running-tally of the mistakes and perceived slights of those around us. We know that God calls us to forgive, but what if the offender is never sorry for what they’ve done? Shouldn’t we make sure they know how offended we are? What if they don’t deserve forgiveness?

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. (Psalm 130:3-4 NIV)

When I read this verse, I feel so foolish hanging on to unforgiveness. Can you even imagine having to bear the weight of every sin we’ve ever committed?

Did Jesus die for everyone…except for that one person who drives us crazy?

Check out this next verse. I LOVE how it reads from The Message:

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. (Galatians 6:1,2)

Are we keeping a running-tally on anyone?

Has any bitterness taken root in our heart?

Don’t we want to be free of it, so we can lay claim to that abundant life we’re always hearing about?

Another equally dangerous list-making habit involves keeping track of our own offenses. You know, those dreaded regrets…I’ve done this, and I’ll always be defined by it. God could never use me because of my past…

So, what are we actually saying?

Lord, I really appreciate what you did on the cross and all, but it wasn’t quite enough to cover ____________ (you fill in the blank).

Satan loves to point fingers and to remind us of past mistakes. When he does, we need to remind him of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

1 John 1:9 (ESV) reads, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we confess…He is faithful.

Once more—If we confess…He is faithful.

Getting back to Psalm 130, God wants to lift from our shoulders (and hearts), the weight of living with condemnation and regrets. But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Freedom to serve the One who removes our chains—what a gift!

So the next time we feel offended, or we’re struggling under the weight of regret, let’s add a couple of names to a list that’s sure to shake the foundations of hell and cause our souls to soar:

A list of burdened hearts to take before the Throne of Grace.