Harry and Andrea

I found this quote in a book I just finished reading, When Sinners Say “I Do”, by Dave Harvey.  Great book, by the way.  It suggests that the quality of your marriage is dependent on what you believe about God. So, I’m just reading along in chapter 8 out of 10 total chapters and I come across this:

Cornelius Plantinga said, “Human sin is stubborn, but not as stubborn as the grace of God and not half so persistent, not half so ready to suffer to win its way.”

I think this is so beautiful!  I’m not even sure what to say in response to it.  I just read it over and over again and am amazed by the concept of the grace of God being “stubborn.”  But I look back at my own life, and what do I see?  Persistent stubbornness throughout every season.

When I go weeks without spending quality time in the Word, how do I eventually come back to it?  When I can’t see His work in my life because I’m so focused on myself and the perceived injustice to me, how do I eventually find my way back to acknowledging God?  When I am empty and don’t even know what to pray, how do I eventually run to the Truth?  God’s sweet, persistent nudging.   Because He loves me, He doesn’t leave me to my sin forever.  He cares for me so much that He won’t stop until He has stripped away the things that keep me from being the person He will have me to be.

This quote reminds me of a time in my life when I didn’t have the clarity of mind or the bravery to make the changes that needed to be made.  Although it may not have been obvious to those around me, I was living sinfully in my heart, pursuing my own pleasure at whatever cost.  My prayers were seemingly sincere and wholly selfish.  This season brought some of the most intense pain I’ve ever felt, as God removed someone from my life–never to return.  God’s grace was all that was left in this dark place.  It was during this time that I experienced needing the Word in a desperate way–just to wake up in the morning–for the first time in my life.  What mercy it was!

In the end, my faith was stronger, my love for God greater, my understanding of His faithfulness clearer, my awareness of my need for Him heightened.  Why?  Because I was a “good” Christian?  Because I hadn’t done anything really bad?  Because I prayed “enough”?  No.    Because God pursued me stubbornly and persistently.  So, I would have to agree with Mr. Plantinga.  Indeed, praise God that He is so much greater than our sin!

Any thoughts on this quote?  Let me know what you think.

Who knew that in 12 short months, a Lumina would die; a Camry would crash; Harry would WANT to crash a second Camry we bought that died; ten dear friends would offer temporary, but timely, substitutes in the form of a Chevy, yet another Camry, two Civics, and an Xterra; an Acura would be born and then, finally, an Isuzu Trooper would round out our family just before Christmas? When I think about this time last year, I think: we had no idea what was in store for us, but we knew that God is good.

Well, now we know, God is actually “better” than we originally thought. No, not because we have two cars now, but because of all that He has taught us through the waiting and wondering how we would figure it out. Well, we didn’t figure it out. God provided what we needed through His people and His ways. And some days that was one car and others it was two cars, still others, it was three cars, and for a time, no cars. Despite our primitive ability to understand His provision, He continues to provide what we need to grow in Him and to trust Him more–even when we don’t know the right things to ask for. That’s what this experience was for us.

Here are some photos that end a long season of waiting and hoping!

After a long wait of eight-ish months, Harry and Andrea welcome our brand new 99 Acura CL to the family! It’s 190 inches, 3270 pounds and everyone is doing well post-emergency installation of a new catalytic converter. Note the shiny, new tires and sunroof…it looks nice sitting in the driveway, doesn’t it?

Harry’s favorite part

My favorite part

Brand new Catalytic Converter–whatever that is! (It’s in there somewhere.)

Not the roomiest backseat in the world, but it’s ours!

Even cupholders!