Beautifully Complicated You

Gwen SmithBlog, Devotions, Forgiveness, Grace, Healing, Worth 20 Comments

My son Hunter had been home from school for days on end following the concussion he sustained in a high school basketball game. In an effort to occupy his time productively, he picked up an old interest one afternoon and invited me to join in.

The interest? Graphology.

Yep. I was pretty excited too. Wait … no. No, I wasn’t. Not really. But I strapped on my mama smile and obliged him by doing what he asked: write three random sentences on a blank sheet of paper.

He left the room with my sentences and spent well over an hour doing a thorough analysis of my handwriting. He evaluated, measured, and contrasted the angles of each letter. He observed the way I looped my Y’s and crossed my T’s. He compared them to the scientific ways of graphology and wrote out a complete personality profile for me based solely upon those three sentences; using the 28 objective observations he made.

He typed up a full-page report and it was astounding. Nailed me through and through … and taught me so much about God.

How could the way I loop my “Y”s and angle my letters be connected to the way I respond to people, the way I perceive life, and the nature of how I make decisions? How can the unique design of who I am be evidenced in the minute details of my handwriting?

ONLY GOD would think to do something so wildly extravagant!

ONLY GOD could design such masterful complexities.

The depth of His creativity is more detailed than DNA. Our very personalities are revealed and expressed through our handwriting. I was blown away. It’s bananas! It’s incredible!

I’m amazed!

We don’t have to look far to be amazed by the handiwork of our Creator. David was in constant wonder of Him as he looked at the sky!

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens…. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? (Psalm 8: 1-2, 4)

And when a wounded and weary man named Job spoke to God of his frustration and challenged the Almighty on the painful things He had allowed him to endure, God responded out of a mighty storm. (Job 38:1)

Through divine questions, God made it clear that we, the created, will not understand the nature of His workings, and confirmed that by Him all life and nature is brought into existence and sustained.

Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’? (Job 38: 3-11)

The Lord continued His thundering and humbling response…

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. “What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?” (Job 38:16-20)

God’s questions left Job with a proper perspective of the power and awesomeness of our Creator.

Job eventually replied, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40: 4-5) “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted… My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42: 2,5)

I shake my head and bend my knees at this in fresh awareness that God is so much greater than I know.

So much greater than my limited perception of Him.

God’s greatness is written in the stars. It’s written in the foundations of the earth. It’s written in the crashing waves.

God’s greatness is written in my handwriting… and, by grace, it’s written on my heart.

Stand in awe of Him with me today.

 

Holy Lord, There is none like You and Your greatness is unsearchable.
Thank You for writing Your love on the fabric of humanity and on all that is created by Your hands.
Thank You for expressing Your love to me in the intricate, design details of my life. I stand in awe and bless Your great name.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

 

FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE

Read Psalm 145, and then write a prayer of response in your journal.  Then click over to my blog and post a prayer of response or post a prayer need.

Remember: my blog is not a monologue! It’s a dialog. I love hearing what’s on your heart and watching you love on and encourage one another in the comments.

Thanks for doing life with me!

In Christ,
GWEN


 


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Have you listened to the new GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast yet? Hang out with Gwen and friends when you go on walks, exercise, run errands or travel. Podcasts are also perfect to listen to as you do household chores! (Laundry anyone?) Each GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more. These discussions are going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceology for more information.

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  1. Father God, I am simply in awe of you. How you continue to pour your love out to me even though I continuously fall short. I will forever be amazed that you sent your son to die for me. I haven’t the words to describe my love and gratitude.

  2. Abba – How great is your faithfulness! You are there when I need you, and there when I don’t think I need you. You are the one constant in my life – my teacher my friend. Thank you for being there for all of us who need you – your timing is perfect.

  3. Hi Gwen! I’ve never heard of Graphology. Very interesting. It is truly amazing to stand in awe of what God can do! His loving touch fills our lives completely and I just love this picture of His greatness you have given us today. God bless and continued prayers for you and everyone affected by Florence.

  4. Psalms 145: 14-16, “The Lord upholds all who fall. And raises up all who are bowed down. 15: The eyes of all look expectantly to You. And you give them there food in due season. 16: You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

    God is so good and wants us to have faith and trust in Him to keep his promises. I have asked myself, which is the better choice, stress to the mess or believe in HIM? I have committed to believe in HIM with all my heart and soul…blessings

  5. Martha,
    I am so sorry you are dealing with this hardship. I am praying for you and all my sister’s here who are also struggling for jobs, finances, etc. L.p.
    I am right there with you. I am out of work, with only some savings to live on which won’t last long. I am also alone with no one to help… I also left a job, as it turned into a horrible place to work with new management. They did all they could to run out all older women. Then they were hiring 19 to 25 yr. old girls at minimum wage. I was making way more than that. The company is in a downward spiral to closing more locations. Such a long story but it was literally making me ill after 4 months…I also thought I had another opportunity but it turned out not to be available yet, it was a panic mode experience. So, I pray and ask Abba Father to deliver me from these worldly stresses, to keep His promises to provide the way for me, etc. I always praise and thank Him for all He has done, is doing and will do in the future. It is a test of faith for sure, I have cried rivers as well. He does want us to be honest with Him. I have to continually remind myself not to worry and give it all to God. I know He will answer our prayers if we stay focused on HIM. It’s hard to hear His voice if we are cluttered with all the “chatter” of this world and the troubles we have. His greatest gift is peace….It’s a moment to moment thing for me to stay focused on seeking His Kingdom first and receiving all the love He wants us to have….Praying for prosperity and peace for all of us as He lifts us up…

  6. Martha,
    I am so sorry you are dealing with this hardship. I am praying for you and all my sister’s here who are also struggling for jobs, finances, etc.
    I am right there with you. I am out of work, with only some savings to live on which won’t last long. I am also alone with no one to help… I also left a job, as it turned into a horrible place to work with new management. They did all they could to run out all older women. Then they were hiring 19 to 25 yr. old girls at minimum wage. I was making way more than that. The company is in a downward spiral to closing more locations. Such a long story but it was literally making me ill after 4 months…I also thought I had another opportunity but it turned out not to be available yet, it was a panic mode experience. So, I pray and ask Abba Father to deliver me from these worldly stresses, to keep His promises to provide the way for me, etc. I always praise and thank Him for all He has done, is doing and will do in the future. It is a test of faith for sure, I have cried rivers as well. He does want us to be honest with Him. I have to continually remind myself not to worry and give it all to God. I know He will answer our prayers if we stay focused on HIM. It’s hard to hear His voice if we are cluttered with all the “chatter” of this world and the troubles we have. His greatest gift is peace….It’s a moment to moment thing for me to stay focused on seeking His Kingdom first and receiving all the love He wants us to have….Praying for prosperity and peace for all of us as lifts us up…

  7. Please pray for my husband,Arthur. He clams to be saved,but he hardly ever opens his bible to study God’s word. I never hear him praise the Lord at any time.The first thing he does when he wakes up is turn the tv news on. I love him so much,it hurts to see him not putting God first in his life. I pray that God would prick his heart and help him to live God with all his heart ,soul and mind.

  8. Hey Gwen I just love you my sister in Christ I just want to praise God from whom all Blessings Flow he kept us safe we were in the path of “Hurricane Florence” and it was very scary . but God was with us and couldn’t been worse but God was in charge he took care of us all.

  9. So often I fail to remember how small I am in comparison to Gods greatness! And yet, He encourages me to be all that I can be in Him. He never fails! His works are mighty! I stand in awe!

  10. Hi. I get scared alot these last couple of months. Mostly, its aloneness, but also worry about getting income/jobs and paying bills. I do not have much family or friends. NO one to lean on for help. Its hard. But so far – God comes through. Sometimes it seems like the very last moment. But He does not leave me just like the bible says. I call Him – Big Papa. He is like a Daddy to me. When I feel scared in my bed at night….I pray and somehow Ifeel a kiss on the check from Big Pappa- tells me to rest and not worry.I do not understand how He works but Istill follow God- Big Pappa.

    1. Good morning Dana,

      Thank you for posting your blog. It really helped me this morning, as I too, am struggling with bills, jobs, money. I want to rely on God and love him most. I love how you call him Big Papa…I am going to call him that too!

  11. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your awesomeness & love. Thank you for your patience with me. Forgive my doubtfulness & shallowness. Help me reflect more of you. Please be with all those in the Carolinas. Lord, I ask that fresh water & utilities be restored soon. In Jesus Name. Amen.

  12. Verse 4 in the MESSAGE “ Generation after generation stands in awe of your.work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.”
    I am extremely thankful for my Christian heritage and I pray that I will live in such a way that my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren will see Jesus and want to follow Him. I need to continually tell them stories of His mighty acts and how much He loves us.

  13. “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. All your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your saints shall bless You!”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:9-10‬ ‭
    I quit on job thinking I had another but I just lost that one b/c of my past actions over 20+ years ago. Can’t go back to my former job as my position was filled. I am so crushed right now, I feel like God has deserted me. Have no idea what I am going to do!! I’ve been crying (literally) out to God for help as He is the only One who can fix my situation. I am a single, so I only have one income & I have bills to pay. I am so embarrassed, I shared with so many about my new job (start of a career at 46) who knows nothing about my shameful past & don’t know now what to say. Please pray for a miracle!! I’m desperate.

    1. Martha,

      I will pray for you…I have been in a similar situation. Keep praying. The Lord loves you and he has good plans for you!! You are working for God…He is your employer!

  14. Thank you Heavenly Father for all creations. Thank you for allowing us to see the wonders of your hands. Bless us Lord so that we may continue to glorify your name. Amen

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