Deep Water

Deep Water

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2 NASB

“God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them.” John Aughey

Many, many years ago my sisters and I, about elementary school age, were swimming at the local pool. We lived there in the summer. I bet you did too, or a stream, lake or beach. Kids, summer and water are natural. It’s like paradise! However, my youngest sister went too deep where I was swimming and jumped on my back in fear. Cloying, splashing, repeating “I’m scared” over and over. I couldn’t see because of the water but we made it. I don’t know how. I went back to swimming. My sister was done. One was overwhelmed. One was back at it. Both were grateful.

Deep Water. We can say that experience was nothing but for eight to 10-year-olds, it was traumatic! But that’s when many traumatic experiences happen. Childhood. And we need help.

Deep Water Responses:

Physical problems like overeating, drinking, not sleeping or sleeping too much, being startled easily and more.

Emotional problems like anxiety, avoiding people or situations, depression and lack of hope are difficult. They stick like Gorilla glue and we don’t even know why.

Another symptom is doing too much. Always going and if you stop, the world will end. A hamster on a wheel but the hamster enjoys it.

Pleasing others way beyond your limits.

I had all the above and more. I grappled with this for years! Still do. And I sought help from my Father, a professional and a dear friend.

Our Father promises to bring us through.

And the memories are there as a caution, to help others and keep us close to the father. It’s the really deep water that builds character, truth and trust. We probably will not know all the ways our Deep Water experiences have cleansed us and helped others here on Earth. The Father thinks it’s important and will reward us a little here and a whole lot more up there “Beyond all that we could ask or think.”

Musings

“No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was allowed to shape your heart so that into his likeness you’d grow. You are who you are for a reason, You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod. You are who you are, beloved because there is a God!” Unknown.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for our anchor, Jesus, and for bringing us through deep waters. Jesus reminds us he is the Living Water, we’re to lie down beside the still waters and we will be restored.

Help us in our Deep Water times. Help us to help others who may be drowning. Remind us always that Deep Water times are because you love us.

Amen.

Weary, Dreary and Ho-Hum

My Three Gremlins.

“For I [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.” Jeremiah 31:25 Amplified Bible

“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” Charles Stanley

January. The longest month of the year. Not in days so much as dreariness. The magic of Christmas is packed away, spring has not even winked at me and there’s snow, ice, blowing wind and cold. It’s grey, dismissive and long.

Parts of life are like January. The dishes are unending. The bills are unending. And people. Annoying, rude, emotional people who test our patience and affection over and over. But it’s these times that really define us.

Life is weary, dreary and ho-hum most of the time punctuated by intense moments. There are times of deep sadness like the loss of a loved one, financial problems, divorce and health difficulties. There are wonderful times too like the birth of a baby, career successes, graduations and achievements.

But most of the time life is weary, dreary and ho-hum. Boring. Boredom. Tedious. Yawn.

Many Bible greats had moments of boredom. My mind flashed to David spying on Bathsheba taking her bath. It takes two to tango. We know how that turned out! Then came Solomon.

Observe January. It looks cruel, cold and relentless. But there’s so much going on under the ice and snow we just don’t see. Plants are nourishing themselves. Critters are hibernating. Resources like water are collected. Vibrant pink sunrises mixed with blue dazzle our eyes. It doesn’t seem like much but without January, the rest of the year could yield droughts, floods and loss of precious resources. Or January could yield resources for camping, hiking, the Fourth of July, family reunions and beautiful flowers.

Your January. There’s so much our Father is doing for us with the tedious, same-old-same-old and boring. He’s teaching observation, prayer, more intimacy with him, rest and most importantly, awareness.  “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” He’s making you beautiful even though we cannot see the whole work. Like January.

Musings

Life is not linear, though seems like it. Most of life is the daily seemingly unimportant, frustrating and boring interrupted by the dramatic. But our Father is doing great things in us and for us during these times and we can’t see it. We can’t see leaves grow. We can’t see our children grow. We don’t see our growth. But it happens. Seemingly little daily things. No drama. No trauma. Dormant. Something beautiful will poke its head through the gray snow.

Prayer

Dear Father,

How we ignore the tedious, uneventful and boring. Thanking you for these stretches has been ignored because we don’t see how delighted you are working unseen and with the ordinary. We don’t see the beauty. We don’t see marvelous accomplishments. We are seeking it now.

Thank you.

Amen.

Your Inner “Kiddo”

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV

“The most sophisticated people I know – inside they are all children.” ― Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets

Do you still chuckle at silly jokes?

Like to draw?

Play with animals?

Love stories?

Camping?

Noah’s Ark?

Popcorn and movies? I love the drive-in movies from so long ago.

Me too! No matter your physical age, there’s a child inside. Here’s the tough part: You talk to your inner child like your parents and significant others talked to you.

You’re stupid!

How could you?

Why did you?

If everyone jumped off the bridge, would you?

Again?

Get busy or else!

Because I said so, that’s why.

The above are the easy ones.

Time for a reboot.

Think hard. Do you talk to your children that way? Other children? Other people, for that matter?

It’ll take you 90 days of practice to say good things to your inner kiddo consistently. Way more if your home life was dramatic, traumatic, dysfunctional or filled with addictions.

You’re the parent now and…

Not everyone starts at the same place.

No fair! We yelled at our parents or someone when an injustice was perceived. One of the first painful lessons as a child was life isn’t fair. “Eat your vegetables. Don’t you know that kids in (some third world country) would love to eat carrots?”

You’ve heard the phrase, “I may not seem like much but you should’ve seen where I started.” There’s a boatload of truth in that phrase.

Some of us came from loving homes where faith, approval, acceptance and love were consistent. Not perfect but consistent. But I bet it’s not that many. Those that had the blessing of a loving family may struggle accepting those “in the hole,” as it were.

Those of us starting in the hole envy those “normal” people. Envy and self-rejection are constant. Self-esteem? What’s that?

Hope: The Father through Jesus is your parent now. Talk to your inner kiddo as you would your children or others. Praise your inner kid. Your inner kiddo does some terrific things—look. Make a list. Put your arms around yourself. Snuggle up with your favorite blanket and watch an inspiring children’s movie. Eat a fresh baked cookie. Talk to your Father as an innocent child.

Yes, even your inner kiddo will throw a tantrum now and then because they don’t trust you. You let people hurt your inner kiddo and it may not have truly been your fault.You made some very unwise choices, no doubt. Apologize and make amends. Let the Father show the way. Look up children online or in your Bible and take in how loved and valued they are. You are. You are a child of God. Start talking to yourself as a tender, innocent and open child with arms raised for heavenly love.

Musings

Is it true?

Is it helpful?

Is it kind?

This is what I use with prayer and support. Your inner kiddo will flourish!

Prayer

Dear Father,

Your love is immeasurable! Little kids look at the sky, oceans, dinosaurs, twinkle lights and heroes with such great reverence, openness and love. Innocent like your son. We are your children. Please companion us today and show us what a wonderful treasure we are to you and you to us.

Amen.

Magical Thinking

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.” Isaiah 1:19 Berean Bible

“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.”
― Paulo Coelho

Children’s Magical Thinking

Close your eyes, hide under the covers and the monster is gone!

Rub the lamp and a magic genie will give you everything you want!

Santa knows who’s been bad and who’s been good.

Wish upon a star!

If I just had a magic wand! I did. I bought it at the county fair and it melted in the hot car.

Adult Magical Thinking

I can love this person into change – No. No you can’t. That’s God’s job.

I’ll have just one more (fill in the blank) then I’m done. From one more drink to one more potato chip…

My problems will be gone if I (fill in the blank). I tried denying. Not recommended.

We’ll live happily ever after. Even the best Christian couples may not.

If I work harder. Yes. Work harder. Avoid your family, hurt your health and lose your temper from exhaustion.

If I have more faith. So much for the mustard seed?

If I don’t enjoy this moment, tribute, windfall or whatever, pain won’t come. Putting off good to avoid future pain.

And all time myths

Peace means absence of conflict

Freedom means absence of conflict

Love means absence of conflict

Jesus had conflict all the time! And Jesus had peace, freedom and love.

I love my child. The curfew is 11:00 p.m. I love my spouse. Please pick up your dirty socks. You are free to come to work anytime you choose. I am free to find someone else to do the work.

I still do magical thinking at times. Earning love is one. Jesus definitely had no acceptance, belonging and love from his siblings, religious leaders or politicians. He had a tax collector and a zealot in his band of 12. Many tried to trap him. But He went out and healed, loved, encouraged and prayed. Many times his feelings, I’m guessing because he was fully human, never determined his actions. I think of his agony in the garden and he prayed for the cup to be removed. We all do sometimes.  All he did was an example for us. There were miracles to be sure, but there were still many difficult times. The people he healed and rose from the dead still died eventually. He came to show us something far greater. If we ask, seek and knock because we love him, we shall receive.

Musings

I admit, if I won the lottery fantasies, ability to cure cancer or dementia, or go to outer space are fun imaginations. As long as I’m on Earth, conflict comes. If the Son of Man had conflict, so will we. But he gave us a Helper, his word and each other and he always brings good from it. For His glory. And his glory is ours. He said everything I have is yours.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Oh how we grapple with boring times, difficult times, traumatic times praying for your will but our hearts aren’t in it. We make wishes, peek at superstitions and create stories to avoid the pain. That’s why you counseled us to worry only about today. You love us. You’re with us. You create something beautiful from our struggles.

Thank you.

Amen.

Getting to the Other Side

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.” John 14:3 NASB

“Even someone he envisions as ‘poisoned by a wretched upbringing in some house full of vulgar jealousies and senseless quarrels’ can be assured that God is well aware of ‘what a wretched machine you are trying to drive,’ and asks only that you ‘keep on [doing] the best you can.’ ” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

She was a beautiful woman! She was in her mid-forties, gorgeous, a smile that lifted others, words of wisdom without being preachy and she had muscular sclerosis. MS. I met her when I was 18 years and lost her when I was 24 years. I didn’t just admire her; I adored her. She walked with a cane but I hardly noticed. Even men still tipped their hats and smiled just looking at her. She radiated her savior. She glowed. Her disease was discovered during an eye exam and as powerful as her disease was, she was more powerful because of her savior.

And her husband was a berating cheater. She left him. She had too. He was very abusive and with her chronic disease, who can fight? She got to the other side. Her son became a very famous western art painter. Her home was a log cabin condiminium with windows that reflected the mountains, streams and snow. She invited many to Bible studies in her lovely, warm home and she laughed with praises for others and God.

No one saw all the gruesome, agonizing and lonely times she had. Her Father did. And…

She got to the other side. In her Earthly life

And now she’s with her savior forever.

I could go on. She was my first real experience with a Christian.

You may be someone’s first real experience with a Christian.

You probably are and have been. When you get to heaven, you’ll be so surprised at your legacy! In a very joyful way.

All the hours of counseling and support groups, prayer, wrestling with the word and world—to get to the other side. Even with the old beater you’re driving! I recommend Pilgrim’s Progress in current English to embrace what’s over the river and on the other side. Heck! Even a chicken knows to get to the other side.

Musings

“When things get tough, never quit. Because if you quit you’ll never see the good that’s waiting for you on the other side. And once you get to the other side, things will be even better.” Truck driver sharing his truth of 40 years of marriage.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We forget the wonderful things that await us here and in heaven. We screw up our willpower to get through our challenges and forget you’re in the business of good. You’re the Wonderful Counselor. Help us to rely more on you and less on grit and determination. Help us to glimpse what’s on the Other Side. Hope. Perseverance. And joy.

Amen.

Do You Learn From Your Success or Failure?

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:11 NASB

“Experience is brutal but we learn. Oh God, how we learn!” C. S. Lewis

We are illegitimate if we are not disciplined. Check Hebrews 12:8. Parents discipline and our Father is no different. Well, he IS perfect.

I watched an interview of a successful man teaching young people. They were in their teens to early 20’s and were mesmerized by him. Some listening had tears, some nodded their heads, some had blank stares, some drank in his words like Gospel. He said, “I’ve never learned from my successes but I sure learned by pain and failure.” He is a Christian. He battled addictions anger and more. He’s very successful spiritually, financially and a wonderful parent. Obviously, that’s not how he started.

Yep. That’s how it really is.

And it’s embarrassing.

And it’s discouraging.

And it’s humiliating.

And we all get to experience it. Humbling ourselves “under the mighty hand of God” is not a priority, especially when young and idealistic but it sure does happen.

All children need guidance, discipline (punishment is for another day. Hint: It’s not love), reassurance, belonging and love. I still receive this and will until I’m called home. I’m old and still need discipline and peaceful fruit. Even Jesus was disciplined, which Hebrews states. Hard to believe!

From learning how to ride a bike to becoming a marketing manager, mistakes were made. They were painful experiences.  They were embarrassing events bordering on shameful. Agonizing. I remember my first few weeks of managing and I had a smart, resourceful employee showing up late day after day because of a controlling and lazy boyfriend. I had another who was a controller. If someone said, “darn” they were denounced and banned to the abyss. Great way to start a successful department, no?

Did I learn to overcome with books? No. They helped. Did I overcome by classes? Therapy? No. But I sure went.  Pain was my teacher. Pain got my attention. Pain motivated me to work. Peaceful fruit of righteousness? Absolutely not! Sleepless nights? Oh, yes! Because I had to dig deeply inside of me. It was the Father and mature Christian mentors that guided me.

But I had to do the work. At times it really was brutal.

Then I had blissful success.

Warm relationships.

Bills paid and savings.

Money to contribute to charity.

Gifts for my loved ones.

Horses, dogs and cats. Oh my!

A vacation.

And the start of a mysterious, fulfilling relationship with the perfect Father. Sometimes the feelings were so big and loving, I couldn’t contain them. They come.

Musings

Life is tricky. A roller coaster of ups and downs and no way to get off. In between are mundane days of bill paying, doing housework, budgets and traffic.  Accepting risk with the Father’s help and others will make the ups sweeter and the downs bearable. And peaceful fruit.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We thank you for your discipline because it brings us peaceful fruit. James said “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials.” We can’t do that—not honestly. So we trust. We do not count on our own understanding. We acknowledge you in all we do. We continue with you at the helm.

We don’t want to be illegitimate. We want to be heirs. We want you.

Amen.

Blaming God


Blaming God

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7 NIV

“When life throws you a curve-ball, you will end up saying, ‘God, what are You doing to me?’ We end up blaming God, as opposed to allowing the goodness of God to navigate us through the situation. – Author: Chris Gore

Let’s be honest. When life has been at it’s most difficult, we blame God. It’s the hardest part of faithful trust in the One who cannot lie. You will wrestle Like Jacob. You will question like Job. You will deny like Peter.

Here are the top, trite sayings we use and they are false:.

  1. Here’s one I’ve heard many times and deemed it gospel: “God never gives us more than we can handle.”  It was said to my beloved Grandma diagnosed with terminal cancer.I’ve heard this at funerals, to the terminally ill, to a worried parent, to a struggling addict. I beg to differ. God is our rescuer, especially when times are more than we can handle. There will be many times life will be more than we can handle. The Father deeply loves us. The Psalms are filled with how God rescues and loves. Paul in his letters talks about how God had rescued him from death several times. Peter was released from prison by an angel sent by God. Jesus died for us so we are no longer imprisoned. He rescued us. We couldn’t handle our sin. God certainly did not make us sin!

How could we trust a God that heaps trials and temptations upon us? There are many gods who are always angry, unrepentant and prejudiced. God never, ever is this. He is a merciful God. His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22)

  • The other axiom that I hate, really hate, is: “This happened for a reason.” Said to parents whose child has died, said to someone whose spouse just died, said to someone who’s become disabled or bankrupt. Really? I read how Jesus healed, fed, encouraged all, especially children. Who really does this? False prophets. False gods. They are not your friends.

These trite axioms are said by those who have not truly suffered, truly believe or are loaded with guilt and denial.  I know. In my ignorance, I’ve thrown those axioms out to others to assuage my guilt, ignorance and awkwardness—Then it happened to me. What a hard lesson!

  • When my husband, parents, beloved friends, pets died, here comes: “They’re with God now.” Now that they’re with God, put on your happy, slappy face. That’s the fix.

That’s true. Very true. They’re with God. However, I’m here lonely, despairing and hopeless. Apparently, you’re telling me that’s what God wants! What a slap in the face! Dismissive! Uncaring! God doesn’t take and leave us! If even Jesus grieved his friend, Lazarus, don’t we know we will someday experience the same? How many beautiful psalms were written by David that were a tribute to his grieving? If Jesus was tempted, grieved, hungry, lonely, and he was, so will we be. Remember that we take up our cross and follow him daily. He is with us. Will not forsake us.

The top three lies of God is at fault. God is to blame. God’s doing this to you.

Musings

When I think of some of the things I’ve said to others in pain, I cringe. I’m hyper-aware of how my tongue of fire and lack of compassion hurts and destroys. God didn’t do it. People do it. A corrupt and narcissistic world inflames pain, dismissiveness and loneliness. When I was at my neediest, I needed a gentle presence. A witness to my pain. Hug of comfort.  An ear to vent my agony. Not preaching. Not trite quotes. Presence. And the assurance that He is with me.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you that you’re always with us. Thank you that your son took the blame for us, though Your Son was blameless.

 Please make us aware of those we need to make amends to, those that need presence, those that need hope, forgiveness for those that have hurt us and a gentle, listening ear. We all stumble with listening and bearing witness. You will transform us. You bring good out of evil for those who love you.

Redeem the pain of those who are suffering. Remind us that blame has never fixed anything. It does not save. It does not heal. You do.

Amen.

Catastrophizing

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” – Charles Spurgeon

The 2022 flu. I got it and I got it bad! It was the day before Christmas Eve and I was laid low with fever, chills, sore throat and tears. I wasn’t done wrapping presents, sending cards, checking on my elderly neighbor. I’m a Christmas lover. The lights. The music. The hope. The movies. The food. The warm wishes. And I slept, shivered and cried through it all. I’m still not hitting on all cylinders because of fatigue and a nagging cough.

My grandkids still don’t have wrapped presents from me. Everything is in a box waiting for the perfect ribbon and card. I let them down, I’m sure. Christmas day I woke up to a cup of cocoa, tree lights and back to bed. It’s been 10 days of illness and my house is in tatters. My scared and tired mind reminds me I’m older with an immune system unlike my youthful days.  My flu could turn into pneumonia if I don’t take care. And along comes catastrophizing and when ill, it really takes on a life of its own—people will think I forgot them. People will see my messy house. I look like death warmed over. Soup for Christmas dinner along with cough syrup and pain reliever. Whoopee!

Catastrophizing is focusing on me. There may be genuine concerns and if appropriate, steps to be taken.  Catastrophizing is living in a future where we forget who God is and who isn’t. Jesus cautioned us to live in today because tomorrow has enough worries. And Jesus will be there too.

But I’ve had many beautiful Christmases. The baby in the manger had no twinkling lights, music for a king, gender reveal party, no disposable diapers, overdone baby shower gifts or a cushy crib. He did have a vibrant star, dirty, smelly shepherds, angels and a teenage mom. No blaring trumpets or red carpet. Now there’s a catastrophic story! The world was never the same. Thank God.

Musings

Projecting, anxiety, catastrophizing happens to all of us because life is difficult. It really is. Many difficulties are caused by others and we are still called to overcome them. It was difficult for a helpless babe in a manger and it’s difficult for us too.  We share in his cross because we are his. Catastrophizing happens when we’re living in the past or future and forget who’s in today with thanksgiving. We forget we have passed from death to life.

Jesus said that worrying will not add one cubit to our lives and if we can’t do that simple thing, adding to our lives, we need to give it to our Father. We’ll take it back many times as we learn to trust. But we learn.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We are so thankful you never give up on us. In Matthew, Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they were weary and harassed like sheep without a shepherd. We are so thankful for your never-ending compassion.

Help us to live in today with you. It’s the only way to truly live. It’s the only way to truly love. With thanksgiving.

Amen.

Purposeful Loving–Purposeful Living

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV

“True love doesn’t happen by accident. It’s deliberate, it’s intentional, it’s purposeful and in the end…it’s worth it.” -Darlene Schacht 

It’s also a daily decision. It applies to you and me.

Despising the shame.

Or do we despise ourselves?

Shame is despised because it comes between us and our Father–our growth, our love, our confidence, our success, our relationships with our Father and others. We will “fall on rocky ground” until we remove it’s power and presence in our lives.

Purposeful loving:

It’s deliberate

It’s intentional

It’s personal

It’s hard work

It’s determined

It promises joy

But first, clean-up on aisle three

You weren’t meant to do this alone.

We may need the help of a mature friend, pastor or counselor to root out shame. Shame is a lie! Shame says you’re the problem. Guilt says I made a mistake but I am not a mistake. This is a life-long battle. Here’s what to do: “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently.” Be gentle with yourself too.

Purposeful loving demands we sweep out shame, wash it away “with the Word of Truth calling on his name,” bar-the-door and never look back on or in shame. We are making room for joy and all the blessings joy brings.

Musings

“That’s just the way I am. I’m the black sheep of the family. I’m the runt of the litter. Damaged goods. I’ve never been good.” No. No longer. We purposefully love ourselves, our Father and others.  That’s how we despise shame. The Bible promises joy.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Jesus took away all our shame, whether we recognize it or not. Jesus took away our guilt too. Jesus gave us joy, rest and peace. His burden is light because he took away our shame and guilt. All of it. May we, with deep thanks, reflect this in our lives.

Every day, we wake up with thanks because you and Jesus so love us.

Amen.

He’s on Your Side

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Psalm 118:6-7 ESV

Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else. — Maya Angelou

But are you on your side?  Do you hate you? What’s in the way? A critical voice? A judging parent? Demanding boss? Advertising that encourages perfection? Know-it-alls? Shame? Failures?

You?

Here’s how I self-sabotage myself. I promised to make a list of my strengths and forgot to do it. So, I berated myself – You flake! No wonder you can’t do this. You never follow through. Would you be with someone like I was to me? How can I grow and love with that nagging, condescending, hateful voice?

We are our worst enemy. The cartoonist, Walt Kelly of Pogo fame, had a character that said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Know you are endlessly, dramatically loved by the Creator of the universe. Nothing changes until we fully accept this. Our Father thought you were a terrific idea. Out of all the people, past, present and future, no one is like you. Searching the Bible for all the ways our Father loves us will take a long, long time—an endless love letter. Every time I start to put myself down for a sin or imperfection, I remember: Abba, daddy loves me. He wants to be with me all the time. He wants to know my thoughts and heart. He’s proud of me. He is always with me. He reveals good things about me. The Father is on our side. We are fully known. How can I continue to put myself down? I’m arguing with the Father!

Jesus proved and proves this every day.

Musings

Ask the Father, like a little child, how much he loves you, especially when down, shamed, scared or faithless. Ask the Father how to speak kindly to yourself. Ask the Father how to show compassion for yourself. Ask him to show you your talents. He will. And your love will grow so much you can’t contain it. “Flowing over without measure.”

Prayer

Dear Father,

There is no doubt you love us. We are learning to love. We are learning how vast and incomprehensible your love is. Help us to take in fully your love and return it to you from an open heart. A heart that has courage. A heart that has wisdom. A heart that is generous. A heart that is patient.

When we forget we were made in your image, speak gently to us. We will learn. We will celebrate. We love you with all our heart, mind and soul.

May we never forget: You’re on our side.

Amen.