To the Best Dad Ever
Hi Papa, just this morning I was remembering all those times I choose to pierce your heart. Those times you knew were coming and yet still loved me. It amazes me to think that in your knowing, you prepared ahead of time. You prepared my reconciliation to you, my redemption story. Reclaimed me.
I can look back and see how you meticulously laid out points along my path that would bring healing and wholeness. I can look back on those times when I was heading to my complete demise, all by my own choosing, and you shut down everything around me. You cut me off from my perceived momentary destination so I could keep on track to my eternal destiny. You save me from me.
I can also look back on those times you left me to suffer the natural consequences of my actions, because I wanted what was mine. I messed up. I thought you would never love me again. So I lived as a slave in a far off land. I never knew you spent your days looking over the horizon, waiting for the day you would see me coming while I was still a far way off. (Luke 15:11-32)
I look back on that day you ran to me, clothed me with new purpose. I'm amazed at your wisdom, your patience, your persistence.
Father, "You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day." (Psalm 139:13-16))
You call me the apple of your eye. And you love my brothers and sisters the same. I am the luckiest girl alive. I love you.
Happy Father's Day Daddy God.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
|
Read more...
Today Tells Yesterday
Today tells yesterday to hold on, press forward, don’t ever
give up.
Today tells yesterday you cannot do this journey alone. You
need Light to see and when you find yourself lost, needing to find your way to
your destination, God will guide you.
Today tells yesterday there is an enemy who wants you alone so
when you fall there is no one to lift you. This is a tactic to lose trust in
the Unseen, to plot your own course. Today tells yesterday to find a core group
of women to trust because a strand of three isn't easily snapped. They will strengthen you and you will strengthen them.
Today tells yesterday take care of
yourself. Your body is a temple. Treat it as such. Today tells yesterday mental health is just
as important as physical and spiritual health. The Great Physician will provide
your needs to achieve it. Trust those He puts in your path.
Today tells yesterday to forgive quickly and often. You have an Advocate. He will count every
hurt that comes your way. He will build your character, teach you lessons and
redeem the pain. He will honor your resolve to forgive. He will bring you peace
and issue justice on your behalf.
Today tells yesterday you will experience hard times, some
will be difficult losses. Lean in and learn from the Comforter. He will comfort
you through hands of many then you too will know how to do the same.
Today tells yesterday to go to bed thankful, dream. Today
tells yesterday those dreams are the Creator’s desire for you. Pursue them.
Today tells yesterday life is not a race to finish first,
but a race to be finished with honor. This race requires stamina, perseverance,
strength of friends, support of loved ones, rest, Bread of Life for hunger and
Living Water for thirst. Reach the finish line and you will receive a crown of righteousness.
Today tells yesterday face every day with anticipation. It is the greatest race you will ever run.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
|
Read more...
If Only...
If only I had a new car.
Or a new job, new house, new boss, new clothes, new school.
If only…
It is our human nature to want more, the new, the
improved, the better-than-I-have-it-now. We were created that way. Perhaps
Augustine said it best, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts
are restless until they rest in you.”
When we pursue earthly things, we remain thirsty. Day
after day, we maintain the same pace getting the same results while only hoping
for an end to the mundane.
What if we were told we didn't have to work so hard
at achieving status in things but instead were given Someone we could draw from
every single waking moment of our lives?
Do you remember the account of the Samaritan woman
who came to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the judgmental glances of
others?
“Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:15)
Jesus could have had mercy
on her and made her life easier by showing His servant’s heart and dug a well
near her home. But He didn't because He knows this world is temporary. We need
to tap into Him in our everyday so the well of eternity springs up in our souls
and overflows into our daily lives and we can be who He calls us to be.
Perhaps God has you waiting
and you find yourself tired and useless and wondering how
can something old or familiar become new with purpose? Hear my heart my friend, the same power that raised
Jesus from the dead is the same power that can bring LIFE into your everyday. He
knows you thirst and He has plans to prosper you.
No matter if you’re planning to travel the world to
be a missionary or you go to work to pay the bills or are knee deep in dirty
dishes and laundry, draw from Him. His well is deep. He is the
better-than-I-have-it-now. He is the A-Z of every single breath of every single
day.
Cast off the “if only” and put on a garment of
praise. Hold your head up high and hear Him exclaim over you, “Behold, I make all things new”
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
|
Read more...
