A lab full of scientists

A comment on yesterday's blog says, "A lab full of scientists was praying for you last week here in California." How encouraging! My mind went to those scientists as I would wake up briefly during the night. I like to think that God takes special delight in the prayers of scientists, since they so often honestly struggle with matters of faith. And God is so full of grace that He smiles on those who turn towards Him in the midst of their honest doubts. (Those scientists don't know me. One of them found my blog a few months ago, and we've exchanged a few emails.) I just re-read this, and I must say that God smiles on all those, scientists or not, who turn towards Him, with or without doubts.

Anyway, since they prayed for me, I decided to return the favor. "Gracious Father, thank You for these scientists who prayed for me. Whatever the need of each one, please be with him or her right now. If one is frightened, give Your peace. If one is heart-broken, grant Your comfort. To financial difficulties, speak wisdom and trust in You. In pain or illness, Your healing. In confusion, the light of Your guidance. Midst honest doubts, the gift of faith. Through Jesus our Savior, Amen."

Getting back to Sunday school yesterday was a homecoming! Teacher Tom's lesson drew attention to God's amazing grace in a way that was eye-opening for me. I've known for decades that I must forgive those who offend me, and I've tried to do so. Yesterday morning the lesson went far deeper into my heart. If I want to be like God, and I do, my responses need to be like His, whose glory--whose very nature--is grace! In Exodus 33 Moses begged, "Show me Your glory," The Lord answered, "Jehovah, the Lord, a God compassionate and gracious, long-suffering, ever constant and true, maintaining constancy to thousands, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin, and not sweeping the guilty clean away." That's one side of the lesson to me: be like Him in forgiving. The other side: that's the way He forgives my failures too!

All day Sunday was lovely, and I'm feeling well this morning.

Blessings for your day,
Carol