I will try to be brief, yet I have to comment about this morning’s service at Little Flock Baptist Church. Joyful tears filled my eyes and spilled onto my cheeks from the very beginning song by Hosanna, the women’s ensemble. My heart was so full of thanksgiving for the grace extended to me by God, our Father, through Jesus, His Son.
The testimony given by Della and Jerry was moving. I cannot identify with their pain or loss at their daughter’s death; but I can relate to a grace that makes it possible to keep living and moving forward when the storms of life knock you down until you think you cannot breathe, let alone stand up.
Pastor Rodney’s sermon was like icing on the cake, encouraging us believers with promises of God’s faithfulness to work out all things, the beneficial and the horrific, for our good. If God is for us, who – just tell me who – can be against us! For we are more than conquerors and gain the victory through Him who loved us.
The sermon ended with a story of a young indian boy who comes of age and must show himself brave enough to stay in the woods all night with a blindfold on his eyes. In this rite of passage toward becoming a man, he must endure the howling of wild animals, swallow his fear and stay within the circle drawn by his elders. As the dawn begins to drive away the darkness and his fear, he is allowed to remove the blindfold. The sight he sees is his father, who has been there with him all night long, waiting quietly within the circle.
Pastor called it the circle of grace.
I picture myself in that circle, sometimes enduring the fearsome night and the howling sounds of the enemy’s threats. And then I remember that my Heavenly Father is there with me in the circle. What have I to fear? What have I to dread? I am safely kept by the everlasting arm of God.
In that circle of grace I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depths, nor any creature can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
And I say, Amen and hallelujah!
Are you in the circle of grace? Leave a comment.
Tell me if you want to know how you can join me in the circle.
Peggy's Journal 
Peggy,
I love that story…I feel I am in the circle…and to be with all that have made that decision is a wonderful feeling…bless you and your writings…you never know when a word is all that a person needs…mkg
You are so right, Marilyn. In the circle is the best decision to make. I want all my friends to join me there.
Grace, the unmerited favor of God. It’s been a great comfort to know that God, our father stands within that circle with us. I am so thankful to have heard and accepted that Grace. To have that blessed assurance that even in the midst of the darkest days we can experience, our father has never left us alone. I understood the grief and pain that Jerry and Dellaare feeling, and like them wonder how anyone can endure such loss with out knowing God. Gods word is so precious.Bless you Peggy.
Elaine, if anyone could have understood Jerry and Della’s testimony, it would be your family. Your loss was exceedingly painful. I have seen God’s grace in your faith inspite of the pain.
I LOVED THE SERMON AND THE TESTIMONY DELLA AND HER HUSBAND SHARED OF THEIR UNIMAGINABLE PAIN. I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE GOD’S GRACE AND TO BE A MEMBER OF HIS CHURCH. THE MUSIC, SERMON AND THE ENTIRE SERVICE WAS SO MOVING.
DOLORES BRYANT
Delores, you are so right. It was a moving service.