~Lose~
If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.
~Luke 17:33 NLT
Dark peels back, reveals morning sky. Quail call from a distance whistling “Bob White.” With light comes more of the blistering heat blazing through these southern parts. The wind lies still as death here in our wilderness place.
My hand wraps around a hot mug. The aroma of Columbian beans tickle my nose. I sit in silence, watch the peeling back.
Lose. I roll the word around empty places in my heart.
I hear it over and over again ringing loud in morning quiet, “cling, lose, gain.” What comes to me is this; “to lose is to gain.”
When I cling to the ways of the world, I lose. When I cling to the ways of me, I lose. When I cling to the ways of Jesus, I gain.
I’ve lost a lot in the Wilderness Place. I’ve made no secret of that. Ways of life before fall off. Some I held with a mighty grip ’till God saw need to strip them away. Some, I dropped like heavy stones clanging to the floor in the name of survival.
As I lose these things, yield and lean in, I gain.
I gain space to be still and know. Know Jesus in a more intimate way. Space to process grief and loss, turn it towards gain. I gain knowledge of The One who formed me this way. I gain perspective on what counts and what does not add up. I gain opportunity to share my story, share my loss, encourage others.
To laugh, belly laugh down to my toes. My sweet man smiles big at this. He’s lived first hand my wicked sense of humor, not always in genteel and delicate ways.
To let go of standards, rules, and regulations. To do list. Perfectionism. Legalism.
I gain comfort in my own skin. I accept all that He created me to be.
I am better listener. As I live my story, I want to lean in and hear yours.
Yes, to lose is to gain. To lose is to see His Grace. To lose is to see holy in the unholy.
Gifts of Grace
Tammy Mashburn

I love this Tammy! “To let go of standards, rules, and regulations. To do list. Perfectionism. Legalism” When we struggle with health issues, we tend to let go of those things don’t we? And it allows God to work in ways we wouldn’t have allowed or imagined. It took me a long time to realize the good that came from several years of illness. But I’m so thankful now! Followed you at kate’s this week
Looking forward to visiting your space! Yes, it is a hard learned lesson that is well worth it!
Thank you for stopping by!
XO
Tammy
So beautiful. 😉 no edits!!!
Smile ~
Sending hugs!
XO
Tammy
So good, Tammy! “Yes, to lose is to gain. To lose is to see His Grace. To lose is to see holy in the unholy.” AMEN! Blessings to you dear sister! xo
Thank you Gayl! Blessings to you!
XO
Tammy
How powerfully your beautiful words convey the significant relationship you share with the Lord as you lean into Him and let Him hold you and everything in your life. Thank you, Tammy! I am always blessed by your posts! Love and hugs!
Thank you Friend!
Love and hugs to you!
XO
Tammy
I so relate to these thoughts today: “Ways of life before fall off. Some I held with a mighty grip ’till God saw need to strip them away. Some, I dropped like heavy stones clanging to the floor in the name of survival.” Losing these things in order to gain Christ in more intimate ways brings such a different perspective! Thank you for sharing the Grace that you have gained through your Valley Walking. –Blessings to you!
Thank you Bettie! I appreciate you stopping by and taking to time to leave encouraging words!
Blessings to you!
XO
Tammy
Oh so much THIS: “Yes, to lose is to gain. To lose is to see His Grace. To lose is to see holy in the unholy.” That is so so true. Beautiful friend. I’m in the #3 spot this week.
I love this so! And this line, my friend: ” I sit in silence, watch the peeling back.” Oh yes… this line alone will beckon me up just a bit earlier tomorrow so that I can sit and do the same!
What good advice. We can’t stay in the same mode all the time. Change things around.
We do not need to follow a pattern.I am a bad one for this. Then i decide i need a change.
Helps so much. I can make an about turn in a heart beat.Makes me feel better. This is a
good one for all. Love you so much.
Mom