Thursday, August 14, 2003
Thursday, August 14, 2003
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
On the following day, when all of the other members of the family were at the opening of the
bazaar, a feeling of peace and contentment suddenly came over her. She realized that God
had accepted her just as she was. She didn't have to DO anything...except be open to God's
unconditional love for her. In gratitude, she wrote a wonderful hymn, "Just as I Am Without
One Plea...."
Make your life count for something, because God has accepted you just are your are.
(Romans 8.38
NRSV)
Charlotte Elliott was forty-five years old, and an invalid. She was living at Westfield Lodge, in
Brighton, England. Her brother, the Rev. H.V. Elliott was arranging a bazaar to raise money to
aid in the building of a college where the daughters of poor clergy might be educated at low
expense. Miss Elliott, being ill and unable to assist in the final preparations, lay on her bed,
feeling sorry for herself. She felt so useless.
Dear God, thank you for loving me and accepting me. Amen.
