Out of the Miry Clay
by
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We found huge shells on the beach - the size of Billy's hand. As I combed the beach each day looking for shells I realized how grateful I am that God doesn't look for us in the same manner......you know, looking for the perfect shell with no holes, cracks or breaks. At this point, God opened my eyes to see the beauty in the brokenness of the shells. I began to see more character in the shells as I retrieved the broken ones to add to my collection. The really old ones had many pits/holes all over them and they were much thicker. Many of the huge shells that were in pieces looked like angels wings resting in the sand. The conch shells were so awesome and with each broken shell I could see even more of its intricate beauty in the inner structure. Now, God didn't stop there. He then opened my eyes to see not only the brokenness of the shell but to see the missing parts and to see just how beautiful the shell was created to be. I saw not just the outside but the wonderful detail of the inner structure that provided shelter and protection for various creatures.
Next, God gently reminded me that when I finally "washed up on shore" I too was very broken and empty. Yet He CHOSE me and saw me as He created me to be! He also reminded me that no matter how many times we get battered around and feel washed up, He will use our imperfections, holes, cracks or breaks and fill them with His marvelous light. AND, if we will just allow Him to fill us daily to overflow with His light, others will see Him in us and not the holes, cracks or breaks - they too will see the inner beauty and intricate structure that provides us shelter and protection through any and all storms - Jesus Christ! They too will see what God created us to be and then see what He created them to be!
3 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. Psalm 139:13-15 (AMP)
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About the Book
My faith journey has been one that took many twists and turns as I struggled to figure out that Jesus needed to be more than just my Savior. Once I realized He had to be Lord and Ruler of my life, my passion and gifts for writing were revealed to me. I began with journaling during my devotional/quiet time. With pen and journal in hand, I would totally open myself up and pour out my heat to God. It was during this time that I began clearly hearing God speak to me and I would write in my journal the lessons He taught me.
July of 2008, my husband, Billy, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer and many people wanted to be kept up-to-date on his condition. Thus, I began composing update e-mails that I hoped would glorify God and how He was sustaining us through this cancer journey. However, I was determined I would wait on God to give me the words He wanted me to share. So with the keyboard at my fingertips, I began sharing the lessons God was teaching us along this journey. While everyone was very grateful to hear that Billy was being healed, they were very touched by how God was working in our lives.
Little did I know that God would use the recipients of these e-mails to encourage me to see my passion for writing as a gift that God was using to call me to expand His territory. Therefore, during the summer of 2010, I finally heeded Gods call to put all my journaling skills and His lessons into composing this devotional book. I pray that God will be glorified as He uses these lessons to help you come to know Him in a deeper more intimate fashion:
Broken Shells
Chasing Crabs
Lessons from The Boys
Loving the Unlovable</p>
Root Bound
Score Another for God
Candy Along the Way
Flowers From Fertilizer
I Want One of Those
Covered in Feathers
Dead Trees and Deep Roots
Foresight
Dance With Me
The Birds and the Bees
Angels and Chemo
God’s Orchestra
Healing in the Journey
Seeing the Wheat
Scarcely Abundant
Strolling
Cracked Pots
Give Em More
These stories reflect Susans ability to see God in both the big and the little life events. They will inspire you to seek God in both the extraordinary and ordinary events of your life.
Jennifer Reese - Academic Coach Dade County High School Trenton, Georgia
About the Author
Susan A. Millican has used stories to move students into greater understanding for over thirty years. Here she shares personal stories to illustrate how God reveals Himself through the simple, everyday happenings in life. Susan and Billy reside in Trenton, Georgia, and worship and serve Jesus at Calvary Chapel in Chattanooga, Tennessee.