Coal on My Lips

You would think that I've learned by now.

Even as the words left my lips, I wanted to take them back.

It doesn't even matter what it was that I said; to everyone else, it sounded like small talk. But beneath the words bubbled malicious intent that made my tone and smile all the more saccharine.

That very night, we studied Isaiah. And I felt the full weight of my sin.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5 NIV)

I would have been crushed; my sin seemed so small, but it was big enough to kill me.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:6-7)

Oh happy day!! Despite my constant failure, I never taste the true consequence of my actions! I don't know what kind of person I would be without the redeeming love of Christ...cynical, bitter, hopeless. I would have to live daily under the crushing weight of my sin.

 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

 And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

There is no other response but this one.

Snuggling With God

I've had a backlog of writing in my head for the past few weeks, so much to say, so little time. I'll need to take a break from blogging in order to work on other projects, but I did want to leave you with this thought.

Have you snuggled with God lately?

Interesting question, I know. Snuggling is not on the list of 'religious' things to do, but then again, when was Christianity about 'religious' things? (Jesus never said, "If you love me, do religious things for me.")

Snuggling has been on my mind quite a bit lately. When my little one sits in my arms, perfectly content, I feel a love there unlike any other. When I'm in my husband's arms, I feel a deep connection with him. For me, it's understanding that I don't have to do anything for these people to love me. They are happy just being with me.

But I'm not usually a good snuggler. I like to move, I like to be busy. I want to check things off my list, and make things for people, and do things to ensure that people notice me, need me, like me. Sometimes, that gets in the way of my relationship with God. I'm so busy being busy, I forget: He just wants to snuggle with me.

So last Sunday, during communion at church, God and I snuggled. I didn't sing during the music, I didn't pray, I didn't try to think deep, spiritual thoughts. Instead, I imagined myself wrapped in God's strong arms, and I leaned into them for a great big hug.

It was good. I felt a peace that flowed through me, and a love that poured over me. And the peace and love stayed with me for the whole day; even now, as I'm writing about it, I can feel its effects. Definitely something to make a daily habit of.

Life is busy, but we all need a good snuggle every now and then from the people around us. I'm glad to have plenty of 'snugglers' around my house, because they will always remind me: Have I snuggled with God lately?