Filling in the Blanks

"Faith is allowing God to fill in the blanks."  Beth Moore

The other day I was reminiscing about those long nights of preparing for exams in graduate school.

Most people experience anxiety when faced with an exam, however, I would be particularly stressed

when I knew the format of the exam was either true or false or choose one answer.  They seem so

Starbucks was my friend when
studying for those exams!

black and white. Limiting.  Unforgiving. Since I'm a writer, I tend to like to think more creatively, therefore I prefer to fill in the blanks or write out my answers.  

Yes, those darn tests.

Then I thought about life.  I thought about God.  And those tests...

So often, we try to fill in the blanks during our life seasons of testing and difficulty.  We create scenarios and try to complete our own stories. We force things that don't fit. We panic, worry and stress over things that have yet to happen in our lives. Trying to write out our own story.

I love that God, our Father, our Savior, our Helper - He fills in our blanks.  He knew the questions before we were even faced with the test.  He even knew how we would respond to the test.  Yet, He doesn't write us off when we write in the wrong answer. His Grace, His Amazing Grace, works with us through the process.  He gently takes the pen from our hand and He continues to finish our story.

Our job is to hand God the pen at the very beginning. When we are faced with struggles, doubt, those tests... those darn tests - let's trust that God already has the answers and prepared to fill in the blank. He knows how your story will end.  Our job is to believe Him. 

He is Mine!

"The Lord is MY Shepherd..." Psalm 23:1

What a faithful and familiar scripture. It is recited at most funerals and read in church services many times a year. Many children memorize this scripture at a young age and carry it with them into adulthood.  But do we really understand the depth and power of these five words? 

As I spent time in prayer and meditation this morning, I lingered over this verse and just let it penetrate my heart. The temptation was to keep going, keep reading or even just recite the rest of the Psalm. 

But I stopped.

The Lord is MY Shepherd...

Looking around...who me?  The one with all the flaws, who keeps stumbling and stopping, who sometimes says stupid things and allows ugly feelings to creep into my heart? 

And the Lord whispers: "Yes...you."

Despite setbacks, failures, mistakes, He is still mine (and yours too!)  He knows where and how to lead me. He watches over me with the closest eyes.  He carries me when I'm weak.  He whispers in my ear and gives me rest when I need it.  He is My Shepherd.

I love that we serve a God that is so personal and loving.  He can touch the core of our being. He knows us so intimately.  Better than we know ourselves. It reminds me of the song Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack.  There is a part of the song that says:  "...telling my whole life with His words." Yes.  He knows my whole life, the falls and flaws, yet He watches over me so closely and faithfully.

That is My Shepherd, seeing right through me, loving me and protecting me!  What a loving Shepherd.