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April 8, 2015 burdens•grace•identity•marriage•neediness

Just a child

Do you know those moments when you’re faced with your own brokenness and failures?

Other than my daily flops and flounderings in mommying, nothing makes me face this more than a good ‘ol argument with my husband. We don’t argue often anymore (our first few months as Mr. and Mrs. were a bit of a doozy), but there are still times when we completely miscommunicate. 

This happened recently. We felt and saw the same situation totally differently and ended up frustrated with each other. I retreated to the bedroom with a headache and a heavy heart. I felt weak and tired and frustrated with myself and my man.

It’s those times that my weaknesses usher me into the arms of my Savior like nothing else. And I feel like He encouraged me with these truths, so I share them with you:

I’m just a child of the King
not great
not even good
not super-anything
but not small in HIS affections

Don’t know it all

Can’t do it all
Don’t understand it all
Don’t get it all right
Don’t get it all wrong
Just a child in HIS house

Adopted at great price

Blessed by HIS presence
Trained by HIS grace
Blessed by HIS abundance

I’m growing up in this house
Free access to the throne
A place at the table
Lovingly disciplined
Becoming like Him
Secure in HIS love

It’s so simple, but it changed everything. All the pressure to please and be and do lifted–for me and my husband. Humility settled in and I could snuggle up to my big Father. He wasn’t surprised that I missed it. His grace was there.

That night God’s grace won once again, and we closed the day with humble pillow talk apologies. Still married at the end of the day, like my friend Katie says. I truly don’t know where we’d be without His grace.

Are you trying to be more than what you are in Him? More than a child? 
Are you trying too hard to earn your keep, forgetting your true identity as a child of God? 
Are you so focused on your weaknesses and failings that you forget how great your Father is?

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Romans 8:14-15 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 

1 John 3:1a “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

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In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my frien In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my friend Katie to talk about my Bible study pet peeves and best practices for leading Bible studies. We have both led and been part of small group Bible studies for many years, and we talk about how our ideas about the purpose of Bible study have changed over the years.

We discuss the importance of letting the Bible be complex, keeping Jesus at the center, dealing with the fear of the discussions going off the rails, and Katie’s hot take on the importance of actually praying in our small groups. You’ll also get to hear Katie’s answer to the question, “Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?”

It’s a wide-ranging discussion that I found really helpful and challenging. You might agree or disagree with us, but that’s okay, because that’s the point we’re making. Hope you enjoy the discussion!

Mentioned in this episode:

Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering https://www.priyaparker.com/

Lectio style Bible study https://renovare.org/articles/lectio-divina-1 (for example)

Inductive study method https://www.precept.org/2023/02/what-is-inductive-bible-study/ (for example)

Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55

Orthodoxy vs Orthopraxy https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/nobody-turn-you-around/ (for example)

Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org/

In case you missed it, I published the next Luke study on John the Baptist and the first part of Luke 3 this week. You can read it here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53

🖤

You can find The Pictured Word podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also find me at www.marydeandraws.com or by searching for “Substack Marydean Draws.” 

All my Bible studies are available for anyone to read on Substack, but you can support my work by becoming a paid subscribers. Paid subscribers can download the printable study guides and coloring pages. 

You can also find my hymn art prints, cards, postcards, stickers, and Bible printables on my website. On my website or on Substack, you can sign up for my mailing list and get everything in your inbox, including new Bible studies each month and weekly newsletters.
The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a prev The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a preview of what's covered:
🖤 maps, I love maps!
🖤 Luke establishes the timeline
🖤 so many Old Testament connections
🖤 why does John have wings in this Syrian icon??

Read it all on Substack!
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53
These colors 😍. These colors 😍.
Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction an Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction and pure color play. 💕
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