“‘You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,”said the Lion.” –The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis
One of the biggest treats I’ve come to enjoy is a hot, syrupy breakfast.
Pancakes or waffles, it doesn’t matter. There’s something heavenly about waking up to the smell of fresh batter cooking on the griddle and coffee percolating into the carafe. The way to a woman’s heart isn’t just chocolate. It’s breakfast coming right up or a spontaneous trip out for eggs and ham at a sidewalk cafe.
Jesus offers a breakfast special on Easter weekend too.
Jesus calls me to unwind from frustration when change doesn’t come easy.
He offers me a gift that others may find simplistic, faith for the novice.
This gift is the grace to receive.
A Small Bird Flapping
Grace is a lot easier said than done. I say this because grace puts me in a posture that is anti-intuitive.
Grace calls me to receive rather than give.
I don’t doubt God’s promises. I know He is big.
It’s me that I’m wary of.
Will I be able to rise to the hard things and yield to God’s ways?
I’m like the bird that’s come to visit me every morning since we set our clocks forward for spring.
He’s a small bird flapping from the branches of the tree outside the kitchen, straight into the glass pane. I hear him as I rinse out the coffee pot to start the day, a loud tapping that rattles the window.
The bird sees it’s own reflection. It mistakes itself for a bird threatening to dismantle the nest he is about to build.
I’m like that bird, getting sidetracked from spring, staring into my fears. I keep looking to my own reflection. What can I do? What can I change?
What I really want is what Jesus gives. I need Someone who can remake me– when all I am doing is waiting.
Completely Opposite
The world tells us that changes comes as a result of climbing the mountain of self-achievement. We take inventory of our tools, our strengths and our gifts. Our focus on change zeroes in on our ability to reach a place of faith.
Jesus took a completely opposite route. His most purposeful work took place while He was waiting for God the Father to act on His behalf, instead of doing.
This absence of visible activity was right where Jesus finds the disciples fishing after He died.
Remember the story of Jesus after His resurrection, standing on a beach and calling out to the disciples?
Everyone had resigned themselves to everyday life.
“He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?‘
‘No,’ they answered …
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’.”
(John 21:4-13)
In the same way, Jesus comes to us in our dead ends. Jesus can find us, even when we’ve tucked ourselves away, in a secluded spot — feeling empty and ordinary.
With bread and fish, Jesus prepares breakfast for us.
He calls. We come.
Somewhere between breaking bread and enjoying His company, we become changed.
It’s not anything we can do. Instead, it is a greater, over powering gift.
In His presence, we learn to extend our hands, open little or wide, and receive.
Inspired Invitation
Is it too simplistic?
I am deciding to take Jesus at His word.
I am on a journey to seek out as many ways possible to receive from Jesus.
Some might call it self-centered motivation. I call it Jesus-inspired invitation.
After all, my story with Him began with me receiving His love. Why should I stop?
I’m discovering a deepening joy in drawing near this way to Jesus. It is changing me — beyond what I could ever give.
~~~~~
That little bird has stopped tapping on my window. I look for her in the lattice of tree branches. I can’t find her. She’s either flying, gathering seed, or maybe she is perched high up somewhere I can’t see, under the thick of leaves, at rest in her nest.
Sleep is still clinging to me at the dawn. I smile, knowing I’ll hear her singing her spring song. She is near.
~~~~~
“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
after you have suffered a little while,
will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
~ 1 Peter 5:10
~~~~~
How is Jesus calling to you in a time of waiting?
~~~~~
By Bonnie Gray, The Faith Barista serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
For more encouragement, join Bonnie and the Faith Fresh Community on her blog for her April series: Discovering New Joy.
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“I need someone who can remake me, when all I am doing is waiting.”
Waiting is so hard.
Just read in a book called PLAN B about the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The author talks about how we never hear about the “waiting”, and yet that is what happened between the tragedy (or what seemed so at the time) of His death and the miracle of His ressurection.
Theres is no better example of God’s transformational power that happens during the difficult time of waiting.
Love this post. Thanks for pouring this out of your heart and His today. Have a blessed Easter!
Really special book — Pete Wilson’s Plan B. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter, Danelle!
Bonnie all your posts encourage me so much… No it is not simplistic at all! Taking Jesus at his word is the path of trusting Him. Trusting Him with your and my heart (and anyone else) is the best gift we can give Him. Love you faith friend!
It’s a blessing to share the journey. Thanks for your encouragement, Katie!
Waiting…instead of doing. Oh, how this post touched me! Thank you, Bonnie.
Happy Easter, Dawn!
Letting go and letting Him….
it really shouldn’t be so hard, and yet…
our flesh so wants to DO something.
Love. this.
Poetic encouragement, HisFireFly. Thank you…
Simple but profound, Bonnie…only in His presence CAN I receive.
powerful.
You’ve got a way of extending virtual hugs so easily, Robin! 🙂
I was struck with the disciples being resigned to everyday life. When I read that part in your post, I thought: when His presence was absent and they returned to everyday life, there were strange and miraculous happenings they were oblivious too. Just like us.
What a comforting reflection, Tammy!
This is so apt for where I am now, Bonnie….I’ve discovered myself now that sometimes, waiting is all we can do while God is doing His bit behind the scenes (I’m so not a waiting person – I constantly think of what I’ve not done to get things moving!!)…..My part rests with responding to His invitation :-)). Wishing you & your family a Happy Easter…
Wishes to you for a happy family Easter too today, Liza!
Bonnie, you always bless me with your words. Thank you for this. Walking alongside you in this journey…opening my hands…
You have a special way of walking alongside with inviting words. Thank you, Laura.
It is like you were reading my journal just this morning. The conclusion I came to is this: when the dreams of men lie outside the will of God, heartache will inevitably follow. There is a dream to be had, but not right now. He has given me another calling for now–and that is where my path should follow.
Thank you for sharing.
What beautiful insight, Jennifer. Thanks for blessing us.
Bonnie as always you serve up such life! Thank you for this…
And Jennifer…your quote…when the dreams of men lie outside the will of God, heartache will inevitably follow….IS POWERFUL.
May I quote you in this…(can you send me your last name!?)
Happy and Blessed Easter my friends!
t
Hi Tammy — you are always lifegiving, giving your heart and the gift of words. ooxx… You bring a smile to my heart, sweet friend!
It’s comforting to me that your messages mirror where my journey seems to be. Your message also mirrors in part the message Fr. Richard Rohr describes in his book FALLING UPWARD. Grace is what takes us to the next step because we can’t see the pathway really clear when we’re traveling the faith journey. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that faith is taking the next step even when you can’t see the staircase. That’s where Jesus is calling me right now–Falling into His arms of grace and listening with my spirit for the next step. In this liminal place healing is taking place. Fatigue still is there, but I can feel a deeper healing occurring and hope that one day when I least expect it, that fatigue will be gone. Thank you for the blessings of your words. Happy Easter!
Thanks for sharing a snapshot of your story here, Dee! Happy Easter!
So good to be reminded of this. Thank you Bonnie.
Thanks, Merisssa!
I love the title. I always try to have breakfast with Jesus but its not always easy. especially finding the time when I have to be out of the house by 6am. I see grace as; God empowering us to know that we are devine. By knowing that I know I’m special every moment of every day, even when the days are tough.
“Grace as… I’m special every moment of every day, even when the days are tough.”
May this week bring special moments of blessing. Thank you, Bev!
Thank you, Bonnie. Just when I needed the most.
Special blessings, friend!
One of my favorite post-resurrection stories. Servanthood. Friendships. Humanity. divinity. All at once.
It’s definitely one of my fave scenes, too. I can’t wait to have that breakfast with Jesus face to face one day… Happy Easter, Dave!