Category: God’s love

I am loved

If I could have an afternoon with anyone in the world or in heaven, I would pick my Grandmas. I would sit with them over a cup of tea. I would ask them what they think of me and how I’ve changed. I would ask what they think of what I’ve made of my life.

As wonderful as this would be, I don’t have to use my imagination. I know what they would do. They would smile at me. They would nod at me. They would love me.

Everyone needs to know they are loved. But to be loved by people you admire and wish to emulate – well that is a true blessing.

I think of them so often. Their words have become the grounding of my life. Their actions and faith have given me courage when I had none. Their examples have pushed me to be better. When my days have been dark, they have been lights to my path. I stand on the shoulders of giants!

I am not like them, really. I am less refined, more brash. But they loved me and that is all that matters.

I feel blessed to have people in my life that have shown God’s love. I can imagine God’s love for me because of how I was shown love.

John 13: 34  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Children of light

It can be hard to bring kids up in this world. They are constantly barraged by images, ideas and teachings that are counter to what we want for them as parents. I talk with my children a lot about who we are and how we are to live. I impress upon them the idea that we are different; set apart. We belong to God’s Kingdom.

While I want them to recognize to whom they belong, I also don’t want them to feel isolated and alone.

It can be hard to express this idea to children. So, one day I told them a story.

God is in heaven looking down at us. He sees the pain and hardship in the world. He sees the sin. But he also sees us. He sees the people who love Him.

Elijah thought he was all alone. He complained to God that he was the only faithful servant left. The whole of Israel had turned to the god Baal. God told him there were seven thousand in Israel that He reserved. Seven thousand who had not bent the knee to Baal.

God can see his people. He recognises them even when we don’t.

God looks down and sees a light. A soul that he recognizes as His. Now God wants for all souls to belong to Him, but He gives us the choice.

We choose Him. As a result, He looks down and sees our house. In that house there are five lights. Lights for His kingdom.

But that’s not all He sees. He can see the other people who also choose Him. People we know and love. People we’ve never met. He looks down at our city and He sees lights shining like dots across the city. I imagine it looks to Him like the stars look to us when we gaze up at night.

Perhaps this was a bit fanciful for a serious message, but I wanted my children to have a visual they could hold onto. I wanted them to think of God when they saw the stars.

Ephesians 5: 8-10 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

God is faithful

It has been a long season of wandering for our family. Long before Wes’ stroke we were struggling with finding a direction. Wes’ work was stressful and sporadic. I was trying to find a way in which I could help support him and help our family.

We thought we had landed on a plan. We moved forward and were excited. Then one-week later Wes had a stroke. It was the start of a chaotic time. Painful and confusing. We got through it and were excited to see what was next… Nothing. Nothing was next.

Waiting.

I struggled emotionally. I wanted to see a plan. I wanted to feel like God had not abandoned us. I was begging God for a rest. I was tired!

Yet, through this time, over and over again, God showed his faithfulness. He provided for us. He comforted us. He answered my prayer by showing us His hand of mercy. I came to think of this as a season of waiting, of preparation. A season in the wilderness.

I thought of the Israelites and their journey in the desert. God was preparing them. God protected them during this time, but he didn’t shelter them. He allowed them to grow under his watchful eye.

I am not sure our season of wandering is over yet, but I am calmer about what it means for me and my family. God has been faithful.

We are loved

I see it flash across my screen. The video of a young girl, cute as a button, talking assertively to herself in the mirror. “I’m great. I’m awesome. I can do it…” OH, how super! To have such wonderful self-esteem! The video is cute. The kid is cute. I have no issue with her, but it makes me think.

When my kids were little the messages have been ‘raise your daughters to be…’ You fill in the blank. Smart, competent, interested in science – not pretty! Never pretty, girls shouldn’t be valued for their looks. They should be valued for all the other things they do. These messages just made me think.

I don’t want my children, boy or girl, to be valued for anything they do or anything they are. In the end the idea of self-esteem is tricky. Our value shouldn’t be built on who and what we are. We should not feel good about ourselves because of what we can produce or preform.

I am not worthy. I am not all I should be, I never will be. But despite that God loves me. Even with all I do wrong and all I am, he loves me. He loves me so much he sent his son to die for me. My children don’t have to ‘be’ anything excepted loved. That gives them value. Love!

I have an old wooden carving of a shepherd with a lamb across his shoulders. My Grandparents brought it for me on their return from the Holy Land. At the time I didn’t know where the Holy Land was and why they went there, but I saved that little statue. It sits on my shelf today, forty years later. It has no value. It would fetch zero at an estate auction. But I love it. It has value because I put value on it.

Next time you feel you need a boost or a pick me up stand in front of your mirror and say, “I am not worthy, but HE is. I am HIS child. He loved me so much he sent his son to die for me. I’m overwhelmed by HIS goodness.” You might be shocked at how affirming love can really be!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

A season for everything

We have collectively endured a hard and unusual year. A year of family estrangement, a year of fear, a year of chaos and confusion, a year of virtual work and relationships. A tough year all around. Some have carried a heavier burden with loss of family, work and stability.

Regardless of where the swirling winds of the world find you, remember it is ok to grieve. It is ok to be sad. It is ok to be scared. It is even ok to feel bitter.

As I sat for long days beside my husband, who was unable to sit up or even stay awake for more than a few seconds at a time. There was one verse that came to my mind over and over again.

Ruth 1:20 – “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.”

It gave me such comfort. This might sound strange. At that moment I felt the weight of my burdens. They were piled high and heavy and I was being crushed under the pressure. I felt bitter. Simply bitter. This verse gave me such comfort, Naomi’s example was a light on my own situation. I could see myself in her. This verse was there for me. God saw me!

But this isn’t the only example. There is the wonderful verses from Ecclesiastes 3, A Time for Everything. “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Go now and read the whole thing. It is an amazing reminder of the complexity of our lives. The fullness of our human experience.

At this time of collective struggle remember God knows. He knows our hearts, he knows our suffering, he knows our feelings. God knows. He knows us. If you are feeling overwhelmed – God knows. If you are angry – God knows. If you are sad – God knows. If you are lonely – God knows. He knows all the seasons of our lives.

He knows!

Sit with me a while

If I could, I’d open my door to you. I’d welcome you in. I’d offer you my most comfortable chair and a hot cup of coffee or tea – your choice. And we could talk; face to face. I’d see the expression on your face.  You’d hear the inflection in my voice. We would truly connect.

But we can’t do that. Not now.

Instead let me offer you a moment of respite. Let us dwell together here for a moment. Me on this side of my computer and you on yours. Draw closer in spirit if not in person. We can draw strength from each other. We can encourage one another.

The world out there is wild and angry. Turn it off. Shelter yourself in God’s protection. Turn to Him who knows all and whose hand is in all. Don’t look at the ugliness. Focus your gaze on God.

Psalm 119:

28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Together, we can hide our weary souls from the sorrow of the world. We can use the light he provided to guide ourselves forward. We can find our hope in His refuge.

Let us do this together, any way we can, until we can be together again!