Come up higher
Come up higher
He’s calling me
Every day
And I will answer
I will answer
My life is in…Your hands
- Unbroken Chain Church
I spent two mornings this week looking through the trees. Peering over the dashboard while waiting for legal parking on the street I call home, I sang this song. It’s one of the first songs I learned, one of the first songs I loved as new believer. That was 1989. He called then, He calls now. And the song is familiar and new and old, in a way that feels safe. Like the taste of beet juice (my fathers remedy for everything) or the way my mama taught me not to wander off alone. I can sit in “good for me” boundaries like that forever.
I set my gaze through a mix of green and worn leaves to find it. Justice, something to settle my spirit because the last few weeks have been hard. Holy hard. And sometimes I couldn’t see. But I’m determined to see beyond the filter and anything else that might divide us. Brushed and bruised by thorns, scrubbed clean by dew, my bare skin made new. I want to feel it – I want to be fully awakened by an encounter that transforms. I want to know more of His love. I want to go higher.
I’m the contemplative type, a thinker. But I also crave action. I want to know what I can do – how I can help make things better while I think about change, nirvana, epiphany…Jesus. I’m not afraid to do the hard work, to put my foot in, to get involved, but grace is gritty. And waiting isn’t easy.
Here’s the revelation. I have to come up higher to catch the vision of grace I pray for. The one I believe in. Maybe, instead of focusing on justice, I’ll come up higher and seek grace.
The trees tell me it’s a process. Watching them prepare for change reminds me to hang in, hold on…to shift and drift…to stay loose. Before the fall they’ll lose everything. Before the promise of a bud appears….all falls into grace.
I don’t have answers for the hurt and questions seeking enlightenment in this world presents. Except to do love. Do good.
I’ll come up higher with my belief in love. Love that looks different in every season but is identified by the dirty work we do in the ditch. God promises a holy outcome.
The do good kind of love is hard. And God breathed grace is a gift. In the end it won’t it matter if we agreed, only that we put into action the only answer that offers life. His love. His light.
While I wait I’ll be love and believe love. I’ll answer by hanging my hope on an altar of grace…a tabernacle of love I can take with me, wherever I go.
So come up a little higher, higher, higher, higher, higher
So come up a little higher, higher, higher, higher, higher – Mali Music
Let your handmaiden find grace in your sight…#GiveMeGrace

Lisha, I love the way your words still me into worshipful silence. These are words I needed today. Thank you for your obedience in putting them out there. As I struggle with wanting change in the world, in me, this…”The trees tell me it’s a process.” let’s me breathe and be easy. It is confirmation of something read just a few days earlier…God’s way of reminding me that whether I like it or not, He is in control. My patience is my worship, and it is a worship I need to cultivate.
Thank you, sister, for the blessings I find here every Sabbath eve.
In peace,
Chelle
Chelle recently posted…What Back Spasms WILL teach you about Grace
He lays me bare every week and how I wish I felt anything other than foolish before you beautiful souls. I’m sure He’s in the work because I always pray before posting but I just wish I didn’t always feel so naked before the world. He’s working in me so I’ll just say Ouch and amen and ouch again. lol. Love you for being here Chelle and for holding my hand when I need it.
“Ouch and amen and ouch again” yeah, you’re my people…to God be the Glory….
Chelle recently posted…What Back Spasms WILL teach you about Grace
Lol. Love you lady!
I am thankful that my life is in His hands. We’ve had a crazy Dunbar day today, and this reminder blessed me tonight, Lisha. Thank you

Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life recently posted…Going Deep
Praying your crazy calms down and you feel his grace Lyli. Blessings.
[…] – Will be sharing these words with my sweet friends in Lisha and Kelli’s communities, on Saturday evening and Monday morning, respectively. So thankful […]
I so, so, so love your heart, friend. It won’t matter if we agreed – only that we love. Reminds me of that verse – the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Seriously Lisha – you are a breath of fresh air to my soul. Always.
Dana Butler recently posted…In Which I’m Awkward and Afraid, but I Publish Anyway
Like I said to Chelle, it seems this is where The Lord deals with me, and publicly I might add. Writing out His process in me isn’t easy. I feel embarrassed and silly but also like I know I’m growing. Bottom line it’s all good. All worth it. Yes Dana, it’s all about expressing my faith in Him through the love I show. Period. Love you .
Oh, how well I know that embarrassed and silly feeling. The vulnerability of the way we write around here still kicks my tail sometimes. I’m undone by it. And then my scariest, most terrifyingly vulnerable pieces? Jesus takes and uses to touch people and they end up reaching further than most of the other things I write. It’s wild. I’m thankful for His strength in my utter weakness… for His glory. Anyway… I love you too, friend.
Dana Butler recently posted…In Which I’m Awkward and Afraid, but I Publish Anyway
[…] Gratefully joining #GiveMeGrace […]
[…] #GiveMeGrace […]
I just now read your post at the High Calling about your trip to Ferguson. It’s been great to read different perspectives from your trip. I think the lack of practical, real, tangible ways to make a difference is hard. I’m a show me what to do and I’ll do it person. Anyway, all that to say, thank you for having a safe place here to discuss and learn and change and grow.
Elizabeth Stewart recently posted…Psalm 25:9 and a few thoughts on humility…
It has certainly been and continues to be a process Eliazabeth. God’s not finished with us yet. Thank you for taking a seat at the table by reading and commenting.
Lisha, I read these words & paused…”And God breathed grace is a gift.” For you see, today I shared the Scripture from Ezekiel where God breathed into the dry bones & they came to life. And for me, your words tied it all together – His grace is a gift which breathes life into us. How I thank you for sharing this post on this very day. Blessings!
Joanne Viola recently posted…Breathe on Me
The wonder and power of His breath. A fresh wind upon you today friend.
[…] GIVE ME GRACE […]
Come up a little higher-like the trees-the process of drifting into Fall. I can relate to this on so many levels. I pray I can hang loose and allow God’s grace to take me through the process of learning who I am and how He wants to use me. Sunday blessings! I linked up for the first time today. Thank you for this beautiful home!
Mary Geisen recently posted…Sunday Morning Always Comes-One
Hi Mary and thanks so much for link up today. One of my sayings and general advice I give to friends is “Go with God” . Lately I’m challenged with just how to do that. This week He told me to look up and I did. What a view.
[…] It’s 19 days “post op” (from Knee Replacement Surgery) and this is the picture and scripture that I kept before me during these days. God does show up in the earthly things. I have learned more about myself and I suspect some of that learning will show up in future posts. God has been with me each step I have taken and in each reluctant muscle stretched. The brain fog seems to be lifting and I feel like I am coming back. I am grateful for my husband who took on the care-giving role once again as well friends and family who stood by me during these days with meals, notes, and phone calls and listened to me on the days it all seemed too much. ****************************** (Join me on Facebook. I'll be glad to see you there.) Linking with Lisha Epperson, Give Me Grace […]
well, i still can’t figure out why my link shows up under comments – the whole blinkin’ post), feel free to delete from your end!
meanwhile this is one of the few days where i have actually done much reading. Feeling much better after a rough couple days getting the pain under control. Now it’s just keeping on keeping on with the endless exercises. I am finally weaning off the strong medicines and can think a bit clearer. I have a lot of reading to catch up on – those of you who visited Ferguson. I’ll be doing that this week. it feels good to “be back” and be reminded of the importance of seeking grace. Everything seems sort of up in the air now, except for a very narrow focus on doing what i need to do. I do see light a coming! I’ll be around [email protected]
Carol Longenecker Hiestand recently posted…Courage and Earthly Things
I’m just happy to see you getting back in the mix. No rush with the reading, the words…aren’t going anywhere. Praying your recovery and wisdom to take the time you need. Be well Carol.
[…] #GiveMeGrace […]
Sitting in a holy hush and hanging my hope on His grace. xo
Sandra Heska King recently posted…Scripture Sunday: Everlasting Love
You write my words back to me and always make me think. I like you Sandra. Yes, I do.
[…] this at Lisha Epperson’s site where she hosts the Give Me Grace community for a weekly link up. I’m moving my Psalm 119 […]
Such beautiful words, Lisha. Thank you for sharing this movement of climbing up into His love as we wait for our faith to become sight.
Holly Barrett recently posted…Image of the invisible God
Join me Holly! Look up and live. Happy Sunday!
[…] #GiveMeGrace […]