Waiting for Isaac

This week our family is enjoying a Thanksgiving week in my favorite city, Charleston SC (and I’m writing this blog from my favorite coffee shop – Baked).  I am thankful for this “down time” for the 5 of us.  This morning I’ve been reflecting on how thankful I am or the times I’ve waited for Isaac.

Year’s ago, as I was wrestling with a decision, a very wise friend suggested that maybe “Hagar and I should quit trying to have a baby” and just wait on Isaac.  If you don’t catch the reference (it’s not Isaac from the Love Boat), in the Old Testament God promises give a son to Abraham and Sarai from whom a great nation would emerge.  God’s timing doesn’t exactly match Abraham’s – Abe get’s tired of waiting and decides to take control of the situation.  He has a son, Ishmael, by Sarai servant, Hagar, and ultimately makes a complete mess of things.  Then another 14 years of waiting go by before Isaac is born and God’s promise fulfilled.

In a world of instant results it’s hard to wait on Isaac.  Too often we anxiously and impatiently attempt to take control and solve things on our own.  It’s a temptation in our relationships, careers, finances and almost aspect of life.  Sometimes we need a carpe diem attitude to stop hesitating and seize the day.  But sometimes the wiser course is to wait for Isaac.

Giver of All Good Things

As part of our We Are Grace generosity campaign, Jenna Kuykendall was inspired to write a song – Giver of All Good Things.  The music and the lyrics are testimonies to Jenna’s amazing gifts but even more testify to a heart that loves Jesus and His church.  So for the final blog for We Are Grace  I thought I’d share Jenna’s lyrics.  They are a beautiful glimpse into a heart and knows and trusts the One who gives all good things:

Giver of All Good Things

by Jenna Kuykendall



From the first breath of creation


You have not stopped giving


You've lavished gifts of life and love on us


Daily bread to meet our needs and teach us how to trust You


And grace that is greater than all our sin



What do we have that's not already Yours?


What do we know that Your wisdom did not provide?


What can we give that Your grace did not supply?


You are good, You're the giver of all good things



Humbled as we seek Your face


You've called us to this time and place


Our only choice, surrender to Your plan


So hear us now with open hearts and hands



What do we have that's not already Yours?


What do we know that Your wisdom did not provide?


What can we give that Your grace did not supply?


You are good, You're the giver of all good things



Even pain we did not want to know, 
You used it to help us grow


And sorrow we wouldn't choose to bear, 
we see now You were always there


You work everything according to Your plan and purpose


For our good, so...

What do we have that's not already Yours?


What do we know that Your wisdom did not provide?


What can we give that Your grace did not supply?


You are good and we are Grace


You are good, You're the giver of all good things

My Own Little World

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been posting a daily blog on our church web site as a part of our We Are Grace Generosity Campaign – and not posting here.  But the lyrics of Matthew West’s song My Own Little World made pause to consider what’s the population of my own little world and seemed worth posting twice.

In my own little world it hardly ever rains

I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe

I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet

In my own little world

Population: me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church

I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts

I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see

It’s easy to do when it’s

Population: me

What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?

What if there’s a greater purpose

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world

When I stopped at a red light, looked out my window

I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”

And above that sign was the face of a human

and I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”

So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye

I thought how many times have I just passed her by?

I gave her some money then I drove on through

And my own little world reached

Population: two

Father break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

and Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me

I know theres a bigger picture

I dont wanna miss it now

I know theres a plan and a purpose

I can be living right now

Outside my own little world

Take a moment and pray that God would bless us all with hearts that break for the things that break His heart and to ask yourself:  What’s the population of your own little world?