God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Psalm 145:3 MSG
Margins.
The outside limits. The white space beyond the words. The boundary lines of life, the edges of the impossible.
I live here. In the margins, between the margins, and sometimes beyond them.
I write notes in the margins of my Bible. Scribble comments in the margins of a favorite book. Doodle in the margins when I’m bored.
There’s room to play here, in the white space of life, yet I’m constrained by the boundaries of the margins.
I know if I stray off the page, go over the edge, color outside the frame–I’ll mess up the furniture…and perhaps my life.
There are a lot of words inside the margins in my life.
“Friends” share many (too many?) words inside the margins of the white and blue “book.” They make me laugh, sigh, grit my teeth, and occasionally cry. But even the white space inside the margins feels full and noisy. I occasionally jump into the frenetic jump-rope game long enough to recite a few words, then jump out again to spectate…and wonder if anybody even noticed I played the game.
It’s too crowded there to play…or breathe.
But the margins of my writing pad are all mine. The margins in my Bible are all mine. And it’s here, exploring, studying and playing in the margins of His words and mine, I discover the healing joy, the love, and the life of the white spaces of my life.
I see the beautiful in the margins of life here, for beauty is God’s handwriting.
I am hemmed in by His presence, and freed to live beyond the margins of my human circumstances and emotions.
His words are illuminated by a light from within. The margins become a place to digest them, to breathe, rest, play, and become.
I ‘m safe here, living within and beyond the margins with Christ…and
I no longer fear the emptiness…or the edge.
This devotion was shared at Internet Cafe Devotions and inspired by Ruminate Magazine
© Linda Crawford 2013
woah!!!! God is so awesome, was having a similar conversation with my sweet man the other day!!. . . just stumbled across this blog this morning thanks to morningstoryanddilbert . . . so blessed!
Thank you for blessing me with your kind words! Praying God colors your life beautiful every day – inside and outside the margins! 🙂
* Yet another instance in which I’m glad morningstoryanddilbert re-blogged a piece..Fabulous write! And oh so true that there are NO boundaries in His greatness..the biggest coincidence? I just wrote about His greatness when I responded to the DP challenge of the day@Who is the most important person in your life? And what would you do without them? ..Truly let my spirit guide me as I wrote the words; as I see you did here also. 2 thumbs UP
Wow, thanks so much for the two thumbs up Berna! Love your post too! You have been through a lot and I am praising God with you for His faithfulness and love in your life. God is great, and there truly are no boundaries to His love!
You’re very welcome..I listed all of the bad stuff; but I’ve had a colorful wonderful like full of love. I’ve come to believe that I’d not be the person I am today; without having gotten “through/over/under” the hurdles I’ve lived through. I’m still standing and honestly I believe it was all part of God’s Masterplan for me..By time I became a believer I’d have had to be blind not to have recognized it. Though others in my life, especially my Daddy, said my entire life I was far more blessed than anyone he knew…
Wonderful post! The Lord Jesus knew all about “boundaries”. In Luke 12:50, He talked about being “hemmed in” – my interpretation of the Gk. word. So sad that so many of us, myself included, don’t live up to the privileges we have in Christ. Thank you for your words of wisdom. They’re good for men, too!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! And for making me laugh–“they’re good for men too!” That…must be a God thing!! 🙂
Loved this! You put into words something that’s in my heart that only Father God really knew about. Oh how I love Him. Thanks for following His direction.
Lori
Praising God with you! Thank you Lord, for using my words to speak to Lori’s heart. Praying blessings and miracles for you. ❤
This is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve ever read! (: x
Wow, thank you so much! I visited your blog–you are an amazing young woman! You should definitely keep writing–stay creative, stay real, and don’t let life ever tell you to sit down and be quiet! (that’s what I did for a looooong time!) I’ll be following and praying for you and your amazingly beautiful future! 🙂
Aww thank you! My day = made. (:
love the idea and imagery here. i write all over my bible so my thoughts and take aways are right there with the words. teaching my children to not be afraid to do the same. –kris
Thank you so much for reading and sharing Kris. I love to see kid’s Bibles that are scribbled and doodled in–it’s a beautiful sight! Blessings to you and your family.
Oh this is dead on! I live in the margins too 🙂 Love the way you write, Lady!
Thank you so much Michelle! I’ll be writing more here soon–about to start a makeover so it becomes more colorful and beautiful! Praying for God to color your life beautiful each and every day!
Awww! I don’t even know what to say about that! Just thank you for that prayer and know that I’m praying a special blessing on you too.
Reblogged this on Morning Story and Dilbert.
This is awesome!!!! I may re-blog in the near future, if that is OK with you? I usually re-blog on Saturdays and Sundays.. Take Care and God Bless 🙂 Kenny T
I would be honored! Blessings and beauty to you!