Scripture Saturday: What the Locusts Have Stolen

Thirteen years ago, I was an atheist without a cause. I had a lot of unfounded anger, but nothing real to rail against.

Today, I stand in an entirely different reality. One in which I have been painfully redeemed by Christ. My gratitude cannot be expressed in human words. Suffice to say,

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. --Ephesians 2:1-10

Thirteen years ago, my mother wrote these words: "When Marmee tucked the little volumes under her daughters' pillows under that long-ago New England night, it may well have been this little book, first published in 1794, that Jo's hand encountered the next morning. Treasured through the centuries since, and long out of print, it has been edited and reissued by another--and far more famous--BSF teaching leader. Jo called the small volume 'a true guidebook for any pilgrim going the long journey,' and I could equip you no better for the journey into noble womanhood on which you are so well started. Godspeed, my precious daughter."

Thirteen years ago, I was as far from God as I could get. Today I stand, a woman on an impossible journey, striving to live as God intends. The struggles ahead are daunting and defeating, but the power I carry with me is unbeatable. I praise the woman whose prayers brought me here, and whose faith carries me forward. I love you Mom.

Then I will make up to you for the years
That the swarming locust has eaten,
The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
Then My people will never be put to shame.
Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel,
And that I am the LORD your God,
And there is no other;
And My people will never be put to shame.

--Joel 2:25-27