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Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

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in #TightlyWoundWoman· Uncategorized

The Right Light

I am dreaming of a home office to write in. A space that I can decorate and make my own as I pour out the words. I want a window in front of my desk so I can look outside and drink in inspiration. I told Hubby, “I need the light to write.”

As those words spilled out, we both realized the weight that they carried. I need the light to write. I need Jesus to help and guide as I speak of His ways and share what He is stirring within.

We all need the light of the Son to help us do what He has called us to do and to be who He wants us to be.

I also need the light to right.

I need the light of Jesus’ Word to right me. I can pluck the keys and string the words, but if I am just saying them and not doing them, I am offering a shallow cup to the thirsty.

I have said it once and unfortunately I have to confess it again…I have neglected His Word.

The very words that give life and are living waters to dried up souls have sunk down low on my priority list.

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I have been preoccupied with shining a bright light instead of letting the bright light shine through me as He is magnified (thank you Christine Cain for prompting this thought).

I am grateful for His Word. This Word, Jesus, who became flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1:14). I am thankful that His Word can illuminate the dark places in hearts and help right us in the ways that we have strayed.

Dear God-
Thank You for forming us to shine brightly for you. Thank You that our sins are forgiven because of what Jesus did on the cross. Forgive us for making light of Your Word instead of carrying it as a beacon of hope to a hurting world. Help us to forgive ourselves and take the next step as your truth lights our path (Psalm 119:105). Thank You that You are able to right us with the power of Your Words (Hebrews 4:12). Help us to seek Your face as we search the scriptures to know You better.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We are thankful for you, the #TightlyWoundWoman Community. Thank you for your encouraging words, your courage in saying “me too” and your desire to grow as we find grace in the unraveling of life. We would love to hear from you. Consider answering one or more of the following in the comments section.

  • How do you make the Word a priority in your life?
  • What are some practical tips for getting God’s Word in your heart?
  • What is your favorite scripture in the Bible? Why is this a beloved verse?


Read more about the importance of God’s Word in these posts from the archives:

  • Anchored to the Written Word
  • Offer Them Food
  • Digging Into His Word

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Looking for some light to shine on these gray days? Check out these weekly link-ups and warm communities to uplift you.

Meredith Bernard: Woman 2 Woman

Kristin Taylor: Three Word Wednesday


Jennifer Dukes Lee: #TellHisStory

Holley Gerth: Coffee for Your Heart

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Filed Under: #TightlyWoundWoman, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « Dear Tightly Wound Woman
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:58 am

    Wonderful post! Truth right here which spoke to my heart –> We so need the Light of His Word in our lives each day. Thank you for the reminder to make room each day for Him, especially in this busy month. Blessings!

    • Katie Reid says

      December 10, 2014 at 9:25 am

      Hi Joanne- Making room for Him…reminds me of the line from a carol “Let every heart prepare Him room.”:)

  2. Susie Teramura says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:59 am

    Thanks for this! It is so hard this time of year for me to trust Him that it will all get done- and that I do have time to spend in His word. I have found writing out bible verses in my journal a really good way for me to absorb it- and take it in, in a real way- Thank you so much for your post. Visiting from Holley’s today

    • Katie Reid says

      December 10, 2014 at 9:24 am

      Thank you Susie. Blessings of peace as you faithfully follow Jesus each day, especially during this busy season.

  3. Betsy says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Katie! This is a beautiful and thought provoking meditation on God’s Word (and the Living Word) Recently I spoke on Psalm 119 at our church, and it really kindled in me a desire for God’s Word all over again. How do I get it into my heart? By writing out verses I love. Memorizing. Writing and illustrating sometimes. (My own “illuminated” book!) I have little pink moleskine that has all of the scriptures I’ve memorized (and forgotten!!) in the last 3 years. It fits in my purse, and is like a personalized Bible on the go. No iphones here. 🙂

    • Katie Reid says

      December 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Thank you for sharing this Betsy. Somedays “no iPhones” sounds wonderful.:)

  4. Kristin Hill Taylor says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:53 am

    I LOVE THIS! My word this year has been LIGHT. God continues to show me so much about how we are who he created us to be when we are in the light. Likewise, your writing will flourish in the light. So true and lovely. Thanks for sharing this at #ThreeWordWednesday.

  5. Sabra Penley says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:57 am

    Katie, it’s like you spoke my heart about the place to write. I think I told my husband just this week the very things you wrote in the first paragraph. And what a beautiful message I needed to hear! Beautiful prayer. This line…”Forgive us for making light of your Word instead of carrying it as a beacon of hope to a hurting world.” Now as I struggle with not enough of this earth’s light coming through my windows, I pray I will remember I have all the Light I need in the Word of God.
    Favorite verse: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
    Thanks for sharing, Katie. May your heart be full of His light today.

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:25 am

      I love that Sabra- “in Him and His Word we have all the light we need.”

  6. Katie Reid says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Thank you Sabra.:) Great verse. Praying for our window lights whether they turn out to be tangible or spiritual.:)

  7. Katie Reid says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Hi Kristin- “Our writing will flourish in the light”- love that.:)

  8. Bethany Boring says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:29 am

    My heart stopped as soon as I started to read your post. Seriously. As I type these words, I feel like I am in a mobile “office” of sorts. Our house is small and there is no way an office is even remotely possible. I guess my kitchen counter and little spot here on our cheerio-covered barnyard table is my best desk for the moment. Yet, I need light too. I need that space for my heart to wrap tightly around His Truth…His breath of fresh air. Thank you for this…it hit home in a very big way for me today! Still writing…one word at a time!

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:28 am

      Hi Bethany! Nice to see you here. Keep writing- it matters.:) You matter and He sees you right there at the table. Feast on His Word as you sit at His feet.

  9. Tania Vaughan says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:17 am

    Katie – thanks for stopping by I love this post – I am taking delivery of my new office in January and I want to use those words to remind me of what it is I actually need to write!
    Hope you don’t mind I’ve linked up your blog on my link up because I like it 🙂

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:36 am

      Thanks Tania- Glad you liked this and linked it too. Enjoy your office as you shine for Him!:)

  10. Susan Shipe says

    December 10, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Katie, first of all – I love this post. I, too, slipped away from the Word and about 6 weeks ago I heard these words, “Word First”, from a speaker at my daughter’s church. That’s the rule in their home, nothing else, Word First. It spoke to me and I’m back on track. I keep the Word around me in my home office (I work from home), I have scripture everywhere. My life verse is Colossians 1.10 “That I may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, bearing good fruit for the eternal Kingdom and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (my paraphrase). I hope you get that home office with light as you brightly shine HIS!!! xo

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Thank you Susan- I read your comment yesterday and then woke up thinking about “Word First”. Thank you for the encouragement. Blessings as you seek Him first.:)

  11. Kim Palmer says

    December 10, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    Katie,
    Here is something I wrote just last week. It goes right along with what you are saying.
    To Be Your Light
    In the flame
    there is light.
    Within the light
    You are present.
    You glow
    You shine
    Bright
    Light.
    May I step
    into Your presence
    and live
    in Your light.
    That others
    may see
    You,
    reflected in me.
    Burn within me Lord.
    An ever present ember.
    Shining, glowing,
    For you, Oh Lord.
    My hearts desire
    to be
    a light.
    Shining, Bright.
    Through love,
    peace
    and grace
    offered.
    Your warmth
    seen
    in my words
    and actions.
    May I keep
    an open mind
    and willing spirit,
    Lord.
    To be
    that Light.
    For You.
    Amen

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:40 am

      Kim! Thank you for sharing your writing and not hiding it under a bushel.:) Loved the family photo of your lovely family by the way. 🙂 Thank you for your friendship.

      • Kim says

        December 11, 2014 at 9:21 am

        Katie,
        Your response is more appropriate than you realize. Usually my poetry and writing stays private. It goes unshared and is kept under a bushel. But, I am happy I posted it.
        Btw – There must be another Kim Palmer out there with a beautiful family because I do not even know how to download pictures from my camera to the computer, let alone upload them to where others can see them! 🙂

  12. Jolene Underwood says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    I so love your heart Katie. And I love, love, love, “I need the light to write. I need the Light to right.”

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:40 am

      Thank you Jolene.:)

  13. ~ linda says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    I cam calling from a linkup and so thankful that I did. Your words are beautiful and fit me far better than I would like to admit. Kim’s poem also says so much to me today. I shall be pondering some and spending time with my LORD.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:42 am

      Glad you headed over Linda and that you were blessed by Kim’s poem too. Enjoy His presence as you go about your day- He goes with you and rejoices over you.

  14. Anita Ojeda says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    What a beautiful reminder the without the Light, our writing (and everything else) is in vain. I have the You Version Bible app on my phone, and I always read the verse of the day in several translations. I also spend time studying, journaling about and pondering the different chapters of the Bible. Right now, I’m on Acts. I’m leaning so much by reading it slowly, word by word (and nerd that I am, I color code all the nouns, verbs, references to the trinity). They say that seven days without prayer makes one weak–I’d argue that even one day without prayer does the same thing to me!

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:43 am

      Thank you for sharing what you do to stay in the Word- a great example and encouragement to stay connected with the One who dwells within.:)

  15. Ginger Harrington says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    Loved this Katie. Just today, I found myself asking the Lord, “Why is it so hard to truly walk in the Spirit, especially when it comes to writing and blogging. The desire to be read, valued, and known pops up as many times as I surrender and release every outcome to His hand. Drinking deeply from the real, living waters is what our souls need and crave.

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:46 am

      Oh Ginger- Yes, I understand. The lure to be known can drive us, can’t it? Thankful that we are known intimately by Jesus and loved as we are, whether or not we are read by thousands or two. As we faithfully follow He brings forth the fruit. Oh He desires for us to know Him and delight in Him, the Giver. Keep writing for Him! 🙂

  16. Meredith Bernard says

    December 11, 2014 at 6:25 am

    Oh, Katie, how I love this post. And how I’ve always lost the Light recently. I also would love a space dedicated to that…with a window. Funny how we dream these same things, isn’t it? I know for me I have to be intentional and ask God to wake me up early…or set an alarm and then actually GET up to be able to have quality time in God’s word. While my house is still asleep, as it is now. My favorite verse is Rom. 8:28…because it IS my life. Love you and thank you for THIS today. <3

    • Katie Reid says

      December 11, 2014 at 7:50 am

      Ah yes friend the early rise before the house wakes up- that’s the sweet spot, isn’t it? But thankful for grace too as He is able to provide pockets of connection at other times too. Trying to learn that He is always with us, not just in the quiet hour, but in the chaos of child-rearing too.:) Happy Thursday friend!

  17. sarah says

    December 11, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    I love those holy moments of inspiration! We so desperately need the Light for all of life.

    • Katie Reid says

      December 12, 2014 at 9:46 pm

      Indeed Sarah:)

  18. Dolly @ Soulstops.com says

    December 11, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    Katie,
    I loved your insight about how light makes right…I like using the audio portion of BibleGateway to listen to Psalm 27 lately as I’m trying to memorize it…I’ve realized when I memorize God’s Word then I can pull it up when I’m driving or washing dishes etc.
    Blessings and thanks for the book suggestion on Good Reads…I haven’t quite figured out how to navigate it yet.
    -Dolly

    • Katie Reid says

      December 12, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Hi Dolly! That is a great idea- to listen to a chapter over and over on the app. So often I read it and then forget it at the kitchen sink.:)

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Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

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