Fresh

As my young sons nap, I sit her at my table, now up from my knees beside my bed.  Revealed sin confessed. Tears flow from a newly refreshed heart. 

Forgiven.  Set free.  Renewed in Christ. 

A fresh anointing of His Spirit came like a wave crashing over me, unlike it had in a long time, and I had wondered why.  The barrier now gone.  Tears. 

Then, His words to my heart, "I love you, my daughter.  I love you with an everlasting love...don't forget.  Never let go of that love."  More tears.  Then, overflowing joy!  I still can't stop laughing.  Hands held high to Him. 

Freedom.  Peace.  Unspeakable joy. Change! 

A mile marker in my spiritual walk, no doubt.  His refining work in me.  Still basking in His greatness!  My heart filled with overwhelming thankfulness that He chose me.  That He loves me...always.  That He met me here today.  For the pause.  The moments that time stood still just for me and Him.  Together. 

More of His words to me, "You are mine.  Yes, you are mine and I am yours."  Oh, thank you, Lord!  All else in this house can wait.  In this moment I bask in Your greatness.  In Who You are - MINE.  In who I am -  YOURS, your beloved daughter!

Joy.  More laughter of joy.  Tears and smiles and praise.

Fresh revelation and a new beginning.  Now, time to turn.

I Love You More

Have you ever read the little book “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney? Such a cute book. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to show his daddy just how much he loves him…as high as he can reach, as high as he can hop, as far as he can see. But, no matter how far his love reaches, his daddy tell him that he loves him further…reaching further, hopping higher and seeing beyond what he does. It soon becomes clear that our love is hard to measure. It’s a great book to share with the special children in your life

Sometimes I’m like Little Nutbrown Hare, I want to show my Father just how much I love Him…I reach as far as I can, do more, strive harder. But, no matter how far my love reaches, my Father tells me that He loves me more! He sees further and loves more perfectly than me.

This morning I wrote in my journal, “Oh Lord, I want more of You.” As soon as I wrote it something stirred within me. I walked away for a moment to care for one of my little ones. When I returned, I reread what I wrote…and realized what was wrong with this very “holy sounding” statement. I wrote, “Wait a minute, I already HAVE all of You!” It’s ME who has to submit all of myself to Him!

Jesus gave His life for me, what more could He give?

He chose me, I didn’t choose Him. (John 15:16)

I love Him because He first loved me. (I John 4:19)

I can never out-give, out-do or out-love Him!

It’s not about how high I can reach or how much I do. He loves me because I am His…and I love Him because He is mine! He’s given me all of Himself, all of His love. And I want to return His affection.

His love doesn’t give me the right to do whatever I want.  This also doesn’t mean I should sit back and do nothing to further His kingdom. It simply means that:

He love me…

all the time…

no matter what…

always and forever.

And everything that He has is mine!

It’s not about what I do, but who I am…HIS!

Today I needed this reminder. Thought someone else might too.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by brining us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:3-8

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