Encountering the Perfect Father in a Dark World

“I have told you these things so that in Me you would have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world,” ~Jesus. John 16:33.

Written by Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

The photo above was taken the day my friend David died. David was the type of person you wanted to know. David was the first person to show up when someone needed help, and he was willing to sacrifice his life for others. He radiated God’s love. He loved, served, and helped so many. He gave his life working on the restoration of Haiti. He was murdered this February while serving orphans in Haiti. In the midst of building an orphanage He was robbed and shot. His death tore my heart in many places.  I wept and wept. Why do I share this with you? We live in a world that is filled with pain, suffering, wrongful death, sickness, disease, hatred, abuse, abandonment, and sorrow. In the midst of it all you may wonder how someone can say that God is good. How can we say God is love? If He is so good and loving, then why is our world filled with so much darkness.

It all started with one man, Adam. God made man in His image. He placed man on earth and said, “This is your dominion, rule and reign,” Genesis 1. Adam had everything he needed. God gave him beautiful landscape, all the food he could eat, a lovely wife, and complete communion with Him. He also gave Adam the ability to choose for himself what he wanted to do. Fast forward. Eve is deceived by the crafty serpent and Adam sinned. This is where death, destruction, sickness, and darkness entered our world, Genesis 3. Not only that, Adam surrendered authority and dominion to the devil. If you believe in God, you must believe in the devil. Evil exists and he propagates it. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy, John 10:10. He hates people. He hates love. He loves it when people blame God for his activities. He sows hatred, division, strife, death, and evil in our world.

Did God leave us helpless? Absolutely not. Jesus came, lived a perfect life, and died on a cross to restore us to right relationship with God and take back the authority Adam gave to evil. Jesus fixed the problem, we don’t always see the evidence of His work. He took back authority and dominion for those who believe in Him. Jesus provides hope and healing for those who lean on Him, and He cheated our worst enemy, death. Those who believe in Him will inherit everlasting life, John 3: 16. He handed over the authority He took back to every believer. He paid for it all. Jesus is the solution.

So, why doesn’t God rid the world of all evil? Loaded question. I will give you my understanding, but recommend you ask Him yourself. I believe that love involves freedom. God gives us the freedom to choose Him. If He was the only option, then there would be no choice. I believe God is already victorious and though our world looks dark, He continues to work through His children to bring peace, love, joy, healing, and heaven to earth. I believe and know He will make all the wrongs right. I believe that if we trust God we will see that the end of the story is better than any of the suffering we have witnessed. I believe that God is good and though He is blamed for evil, nothing in His nature is evil. I have seen Him turn tragedy into triumph, victims into victors, and the worst of situations into something beautiful. We (humans) still have the ability to choose evil. God won’t force us to love. So, when you fill a planet with people who can choose evil, there will be evil.

How do I deal? Good question. Prayer is powerful. Since God gave people dominion on this planet, He moves when we pray and ask for help. I hate to admit it but until heaven, there will be evil in the world. I’ve found no greater solution than prayer. I pray. You pray. We pray, and we ask God for help.

Final thoughts. I’m not a person typing to you who hasn’t suffered. One day maybe I will share my story in its entirety. I know what it’s like to endure physical and great emotional pain. I have had more than one near death experience. I have seen God do amazing things because someone prayed. I have seen Him heal the sick, bring life to dead situations, and so much more….You are loved my friends. No matter what you have faced in life or will face, God LOVES you! He is your best advocate. Praying you are blessed this week, beyond measure.

God’s Love Letter (Poem)

God’s Love Letter

Written by Erin Lamb © Copyright 2011

I see you,

right where you are,

and I delight in you.

Your name runs across My mind

more times than you can imagine during the day.

Even in the night,

I ponder the great work that I have made in you.

The seeds of promise within you

are waiting to spring forth from your faith.

I blow sweet kisses at you during the night,

and you sense My smile in the sunlight.

I bottle your tears.

I want to cast away all your fears.

I support your dreams

and all those things,

you feel I am too big, or too busy to notice.

I watch over you carefully;

you are My precious possession.

You are My family,

one of royalty,

and of great value and worth.

Nothing can separate you from My love.

My love is constant and never wavering.

I will never leave.

I am as close to you

as you want Me to be.

I have great love for you;

this I want you to see.

Every day I wait eagerly

to speak My words of affirmation over you,

to share life with you,

and I am so pleased with what I have made.

I know you,

and I love you.

I chose you,

and I love you.

I gave you life,

and I love you.

You are My beloved,

and I love you with a ceaseless love that stretches far beyond your

mental capabilities.

When you think I am far away,

I am here.

Here, with you, is where I’ll always aspire to be.

Call out to Me,

and I will draw close to you.

For My love,

I never break a promise.

I never betray My vows.

I am committed to love you

and care for you.

This love is not based on what you do,

what you will accomplish,

or what you’ve done.

This love is not limited by what you have failed to do.

My grace flows over you.

My Son’s blood washed over you

and made you new.

I chose you before you knew Me,

and I knew you before you were a thought

in anyone else’s mind.

I know every intimate aspect of your life.

I will know you forever.

I loved you then,

and I love you now.

I will love you, for all your days.

Copyright © 2011 Erin Lamb. Excerpt from, “I Thought I Knew What Love Was.”

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book available (USA and Canada): Purchase I Thought I Knew What Love Was

http://www.barnesandnoble.com and http://www.amazon.com

This Too Shall Pass

This Too Shall Pass

Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

Have you ever been through a rough storm? In the natural you wonder when the lightening will cease, when the winds will stop blowing, and when the thunder will end? In our lives we wonder, when will the person we are praying for encounter Jesus, when will each day not seem like it saps energy and joy, when will the storms pass over? Maybe you have been in your storm for a week, maybe a month, maybe a year, maybe years, maybe a decade or decades. The word God spoke to my heart today was, “This too shall pass.” No matter the storm, it will one day end.

I am encouraged by people who lived through wars and the Great Depression. They truly understood the storms of life. Or those who lived through segregation, not being able to vote, and were treated like animals instead of human beings. I admire those who did not lose faith during the Holocaust, those that survived and still believed in a loving God.  I look back to those who suffered and say, “This too shall pass.” My heart is encouraged that no matter what it looks like today, tomorrow is a new day.

Are you facing sickness, this too shall pass…

Are you facing depression, despair, or discouragement, this too shall pass…

Are you facing relational problems or even loneliness, this too shall pass…

Are you facing what seems like a steep mountain to climb, this too shall pass…

Are you wondering how you will make ends meet, this too shall pass…

The words I wrote to you, are the words God speaks to me. God will not leave you where you are. God will always make a way. I can’t always see it when the winds are crashing against the shore, but I hear my Savior crying out, “I still walk on the water. I command the winds and waves to obey. This too shall pass.”

In the storms of life, cry out to Jesus. He loves you more than you can imagine. He is the peace in the storms. He heals, He restores, He gives joy, and He is a comforter.

My dear friends, the sun will come out again. The Son is shining on you right now! He never stops shining. May the peace of God rule in your hearts. More than being able, God is willing to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or imagine. He’s the God who loves us.

Encountering the Master Gardener

What I’ve Learned about God Through Gardening

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

God is in all things, all we have to do is look closely. I have found some applicable life lessons in my time spent tending to a garden or plants. So, come with me on the journey to encountering God in the garden.

We reap what we sow-meaning what we plant is what comes to the surface. A gardener would be horrified if they found what they planted in the ground is not what they have at harvest time. They planted tomatoes, but somehow grew corn.

Often in life I think we are shocked to see negative things breaking through the surface of our lives. We scratch our heads and say,”Where did this come from?” We neglect to ask ourselves what seeds are planted in our minds and hearts. Out of the mouth the heart speaks (Matthew 12:34b). If the seeds planted in our hearts are seeds of un-forgiveness, unbelief, hatred, selfishness, jealousy, envy, strife, or lust-that is what will break forth.  Where do the seeds originate from? Seeds are planted in our minds and make their way to our hearts; that is where each seed, either good or bad is planted. What we allow to sink in and take root is what will blossom in our lives. It’s to our benefit to take every thought captive and make it obedient to God’s word (2 Cor. 10:5).

We reap more than we sow. Seeds yield more than the small seed planted. If we invest in what is good, there are great things that will spring forth, more than what was sown.

Plants need light, water, and pruning. So do we. God is light. Everything good, He encompasses. He is the source of life.  Plants left inside turn themselves to grow towards the light. The plants need the light to grow and thrive. Without the light, the plants will wither and die. We need God to grow and thrive. Some plants (like ivy) will climb over any obstacle to get its light source. How would our lives be different if nothing stopped us from seeking the light?

Another important part of plant development involves watering. I left a plant with a friend while in Australia and we she returned it, the leaves were withered and limp. It was still alive, but looked a bit sick. Once the plant was watered it perked up. I liken my sick plant to the spiritual condition of the human soul. If the love of God is not being poured in, if truth is not saturating the soul, it begins to dry up. Water is crucial to life. We can’t wait for church services to meet with God or have our hearts filled by Him. It is a daily drawing near to Him. He is standing there with His water pitcher saying “Here is more love, more truth, more hope, more revelation, and more encouragement. Now grow, thrive!

The last point is the beauty of pruning, weeding, and attentive care. If you have a garden you are aware that weeds will try to crowd out your beloved plants. They will attempt to rob the soil of nutrients and have the potential to kill your crop or flowers. Our weeds may be described as discouragement, deception, unbelief, or fear. Those things must be quickly uprooted before they crowd out faith, hope, and love. Gardeners care for what they have planted. They have invested in what they have sown.

God is the master gardener, and He is invested in you. He loves you. God wants you to grow and thrive, and not just for His own personal satisfaction.  He also wants to bless everyone around you. My greatest satisfaction as a gardener is being able to give away the fruit of my labor. God loves you infinitely more than I love my plants. He has so much invested in you. Praying you not only grow, but thrive.

You’re My Favorite

What I’ve learned about God through painting

By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

I am by no means a professional artist. However, I love to paint. I have loved painting since I was a child. Every painting is a treasure because it was birthed from my imagination. I think of the vast imagination of God. He is the most ingenious being in the Universe. If you look around, you will see His greatness painted on this canvas called earth. Every person was birthed in His mind before the foundations of the earth. He pulled out His living paint brush and began to create. Every pink sunrise and vivid sunset is a reminder of His creative genius. He took great care in creating the most sophisticated things in the world. Everything was made by Him and for Him.

So what about you? You are one of His favorites. You might say that is a little bold and God doesn’t have favorites. Well, you are His favorite you. He only made one of you and therefore you are His favorite you.

I have been obsessed with painting trees or butterflies the past few months. Every painting has trees or butterflies, but no painting looks exactly the same. Even though they are all paintings that contain trees or butterflies, each one is my favorite. Each one has tremendous value. Others may look at the rows of paintings and say, “I like the lean trees, they are prettier.” Or someone else might say “I like the richness of the larger trees and the beauty in the diversity of the bark.” Or they may say, “I love the colors of this butterfly.” The truth is I am the artist. All the paintings have the same value to me. I hate to part with any of them. I hate to choose which one I like the best. They are each the best to me. They are mine. I created them. They are all fine-looking to me. If someone asked me which painting was my favorite I would say, “They are all my favorites. I love them all.”

God is the finest artist. He looks over the earth and smiles on what He has made. Since every living creature originated from His mind first, each creature has immense value. He says to you,I love you. I knew you before you were a thought in your parent’s minds. You were made by Me and for Me. You have tremendous value. No one can take your place. I breathed life into My imagination to make you. The way you look, the way you sound, and your capabilities were designed by Me.”

There is freedom when we recognize that we all have immeasurable value. We are not a mistake. The great artist says “You’re My favorite you.” It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, or even what you think of yourself. You are valuable. You are a gift. You are priceless. Listen to the words of the One who loves you more than anyone ever could. He loves you. God loves you, and to Him you were an excellent idea.

Love Parable

Love Parable

By Erin Lamb ©, all rights reserved.

I love that Jesus told stories. Stories seem to stay with us. Instead of dumping facts on us, they makes us think and dig deeper.

The Rich Mansion Owner:

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

There was an extremely wealthy man who had a multi-billion dollar home. Oh, did I mention it overlooked the beach, miles and miles of beaches. There were tennis courts, basketball courts, feasts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There were heated pools and every luxury imaginable. He provided everything. He made sure the home was clean, spotless even. He asks you to accept his invitation to be with him and be a part of his family. Yes, there were some house rules but he offered to be the one to help you keep them. He asked that he was called if there were any problems. There were to be no worries about things getting broken or messed up; he would clean it up.

It was the most beautiful mansion in the neighborhood. The house was filled with laughter, joy, peace, and sometimes dancing. It was almost effortless to live with him because he was good, kind, loving, affectionate, considerate, and compassionate. Every day the man would prepare a favorite meal and spend time preparing something special for every person in the house. He asked that you live there with him as family and not behave as a guest. It was your house too. Everything in the house belonged to you. You had full access to the fridge, the activities, and whatever the man did, you could do. He even gave you access to his bank account. All his money was yours too. He let you carry his credit cards and everyone in the town was to know you were his beloved. He smiled at you daily and encouraged you to be the best you, you could be. He loved spending time with you, sharing his thoughts and wanting to hear yours. If you made a mistake, he quickly forgave you and kept loving you.

One day a stranger shows up at the door. He’s a nice looking guy. He tells you, “You should leave this house. This man (home owner) is trying to keep good things from you.” The stranger says, “He doesn’t love you. He just wants to control you. I mean why do you need to stay on this property when you can strike it out on your own. Wouldn’t it be nice to do your own thing? Wouldn’t it be nice to not be under the watchful eye of this man.”

You think about what the stranger says. You begin to wonder what else is out there.  Can you really trust the man who opened the door to his mansion. Does he really love you? You start to think, “I can do life on my own. There has to be something better out there.”  You leave with the stranger. As the stranger drives away you recognize that the beauty of home is fading behind you.

The stranger takes you to a shack on the edge of town. It is run down and polluted. It stinks. It’s dark. There are other people chained inside. He throws you in a room, locks you in, and laughs at you. He spends day and night telling you how awful you are and how stupid you are for leaving paradise. Day and night you are tormented because this isn’t home. You find yourself alone and hopeless.

Meanwhile the owner of the mansion is looking for you. He can’t live happily without you. He loves you. He drives and drives until he pulls up to the shack. He calls your name. “Come to me,” he yells. “I want you back. I love you,” he exclaims. The stranger doesn’t want to let you go, but he has no power stronger than love. As you realize what you had and how much you’re loved, the shackles release you. The door opens, and you run into the arms of the one who loves you. He loved you before and he loves you now. He rejoices because his beloved is coming home. You see, he wasn’t withholding something from you, he was protecting you.

God loves you. Anytime God says no to something it’s because of love. He always has something better in mind. Anytime God convicts of sin or tells us to repent it’s because He loves us. He loves us. Let that sink in. What God has for us is far greater than anything we can give ourselves or what anyone else can do for us.

If you don’t have a personal relationship with God, it comes through faith and acceptance of His Son Jesus. Jesus died for all our sins, so we could be reconciled with the Father. We believe, we confess our sins and need for a Savior, and we invite God into our lives. If you don’t know Him, your missing out on the most amazing relationship you’ll ever have. He is amazing.

Photos from Microsoft Clip art

I Stand Before You (God’s Message of Love)

I Stand Before You (God’s Message of Love)

Written by Erin Lamb © Copyright 2011

I stand before you;

My arms are open wide,

wanting to embrace you,

wanting to bring to health to you,

and wanting to re-establish you.

Reach out your arms to Me,

for My love for you

won’t end

and won’t fail.

Though the thunderstorms rage, the seas of turmoil turn,

and the waves crash over your fragile heart;

I am still standing here,

standing strong for you.

I have a heartbeat

that beats just for you;

it beats to the rhythm of your name.

Can you hear My heart cry out,

for more time with you

and more intimacy with you?

Tenderly,

I unveil more of Myself to you.

I am the One who longs for you.

Let go.

Let go of all the preconceived notions

that I cannot meet your every longing.

I love you

with an everlasting love.

I have loved you from the beginning.

I stand before you

willing to set your heart free.

Trust in Me.

Your eyes can not see,

nor your heart comprehend,

all that I am

and all that you will be.

I stand with a love so intense and so pure;

a love that was tailored just for you.

I stand before you

prepared to fight your battles for you.

My power is limitless.

I am the God who knows no bounds.

Where you have been

is not where you will always be.

I stand before you,

interceding for you,

and desiring to give you the best of Me.

You are a child of the King,

and My Kingdom will never cease.

Can you hear the applause of heaven?

You were chosen for Me.

I looked across the earth

and delighted that into you,

life I could breathe.

I come again,

standing before you,

ready to breathe life into every area of your heart, mind, spirit, and soul.

I stand before you

with all My power and might.

Let down the drawbridges of doubt and uncertainty.

Allow Me to mend all the fractured things.

I long for you to find the meaning of life in Me.

You are My beloved,

and I will never cease to pursue you,

love you,

care for you,

and adore you.

Excerpt from, “I Thought I Knew What Love Was.”

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press (www.westbowpress.com), or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book available: http://www.westbowpress.com

I Am (Listening to God’s Heart)

I Am (Listening to God’s Heart)
By Erin Lamb
May 9th, 2012

My dear friends, you are so precious to God. Giving thanks for you today. In being still before Him these words were deposited into my heart. I hope they bless you. You are deeply loved.

From Abba’s heart:

“I am the One who delights in your laughter and bottles all your tears. I am the One who knows all there is to know about you, and I love you still. I am the One who stands watch, neither slumbering nor sleeping. I never take My eyes off you. I am the Friend who longs to be known intimately by you. I want to be your best friend. I want to be the One you run to, the One you can’t wait to be with, and the One who you love the most. I am the One who can’t go one second without thinking about you. If you could only see the smile on My face, when you gaze My way. I can not help but love you, for you were My idea. I celebrated in My heart when I spoke you into existence. My heart danced. My eyes welled with pride, for you were and are My grand design. How I love you! How I cherish you! How I long for you to seek Me as the source of all your needs. What you feel, I feel. I am so in tune with you that I know you better than you know yourself. There is nothing that touches your heart that does not touch Mine.

I am the One who understands you. I am the One who hangs on every word you say or pray. I don’t forget a word, for they are stored in My heart. I listen. I hear. I see. I am the One eager to bless you and give you treasures beyond your wildest dreams. Simply put your trust in Me. Believe that from you, I will withhold no good thing.

I am the One who loves you. I am the One who has always loved you. I am the One who will always love you. Even if you turn and walk away, you will find My love remains faithful, steadfast, and unshakable. I am so committed to love you! I love you with an everlasting love. I am not watching life happen to you from a distance. I am right here holding your hand and giving you strength to carry on. On days you feel your heart might break, I am holding the fragments together. I won’t allow you to be destroyed. And I promise I am the One who will give you beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow, and double for your trouble. I am faithful! I keep My promises. I can swear by My name, for I am perfect in keeping My word. So my dear child, rest in Me. Quiet your soul before Me, and know that even if the entire world is shaken, My love for you will remain. You can rest in My embrace, and I am the One who will empower you to carry on.”

The Journey Into God’s Heart

Good morning beautiful people!

It’s one of those days where I am looking back and reflecting on the path that led to the publishing of this book, I Thought I Knew What Love Was. As stated in the book’s introduction, I did not set out to write a book. I simply sat down one day and began writing about my experiences with God. I wrote. I listened. I wrote some more. I listened some more! God is always speaking and the more time I made available to Him, the more He spoke. I felt like David, pouring out my heart to God during the good times and the times of great sorrow. I opened up my heart and God opened up His heart. The journey to intimacy with God began. I captured some of it via pen and paper.

Some days I wrote with tears of joy streaming down my face. I thought, “How great is our God.” Other days my heart was broken and fractured, but I still heard His voice saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

Friends, family, and God encouraged the publishing of this book. I was told by several people that no one reads poetry or verses anymore. Some literary agents won’t even talk to you. However, when God tells you to do something, it does not matter how many doors slam on you. You listen to God and take risks! Faith is spelled risk.

So, after years of encouragement and prodding from God this book was birthed. It contains over 7 years worth of reflections, prayers, and verses. They are responses to His love like the Psalms. Like David, worshiping God consumes my heart. I hope you grab this book and it takes you deeper into His heart! How He loves us. His love has changed my view of love. I hope it does the same for you.

You can pick up a copy at http://www.westbowpress.com

Book title: I Thought I Knew What Love Was

You’re in my thoughts and prayers friends! May you have a deeper revelation of God’s love this year.

Love in Him,

Erin Lamb

How I Love You (God’s Perfect Love)

How I Love You (God’s Perfect Love)

Describe your best loving relationship? How did you know the person loved you? What did they do to show you their love?
Do you think God responds to you in a similar way?

What if God knows the way you receive love and responds to you in a way that is tailored to you? What if His love is bigger, greater, more passionate, and deeper than any earthly love you have felt? It is! His love is perfect.

I pray as Paul prayed.

I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that we may be filled to the measure of all measure of fullness of God.~ Eph 3:17-19.

God loves us perfectly but often we miss His love for the following reasons:

1. We don’t believe God loves us deeply and personally. So, we fail to recognize His love when it’s always there. If we don’t believe, we fail to receive. Have you ever gone out of your way to show someone you loved them, yet they failed to believe you? It’s the same with God. It starts with faith (believing God).

2. We don’t spend time with Him. It’s challenging to receive love from someone we don’t know. It’s strange and uncomfortable. However, the more familiar we are with someone, the easier it is to feel the heart to heart connection. Knowing leads to greater intimacy.

3. We think God is like the people we encounter. He can’t be compared to a person. He’s kinder, more generous, and more loving.

4. We blame Him for the bad things that happen and fail to thank Him for the good.

5. When He uses people to bless us, we end up thanking them and forget Him. He uses people to encourage us, care for us, show us kindness, etc…Too often we thank them instead of seeing God was the one who gave them the idea. It’s good to thank people, but ultimately God is the one longing to bless us.

I can say that God has gone out of His way to shower me with love. Sometimes I thanked people and saw only them. Other times I simply did not fully believe He was a personal God who wanted to have deep relationship with me. What I found was the more time I spent with Him, the more time I spent praying for a deeper revelation of His love, the more I saw His love. Here are some examples, just a few:

During times of discouragement or grief God would bring scriptures to mind. He sometimes sent people who were caring and kind, who wiped tears, and were a support. Often when the season was over the people were gone, but He never left.

During times of little resources God would send people to take me to dinner or make meals. He has always provided.

He spoke and speaks encouraging words into my heart. He calls out the good! He’s my greatest cheerleader.

He placed so many beautiful things in nature I can’t photograph them all. Nice!

I love art, and He has allowed there to be numerous talented artists in the world. I am able to see their work and marvel at their creativity.

Sometimes He allows my favorite songs to be played on the radio right as I’m thinking of them.

He inspired people to write worship songs that connect my heart to His.

He sent people to teach and show me His love (my parents).

He forgives over and over and over again. That’s love!

He convicts and corrects me when I’m wrong.

When I have been faithless, He’s still been faithful.

He speaks through His Word which has been a source of tremendous encouragement and blue print for life.

Last but not least, He sent His Son to take away all my sins! I put this one last because He did this for everyone. However, we fail to see that if we were the only lost person on earth, He still would have sent Jesus. His love is personal, not a blanket love. I told God once when I was young, “You love me because you have to.” His response, “I love you because I want to.” See verse below.

“Long before He laid down the Earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love….(What pleasure He took in planning this!) Eph 1-4-5 the Message.

So my beautiful friends I hope and pray that His perfect love is revealed more and more to us. The way I sense His love may be radically different than how you sense His love. All that matters is that you know that there’s nothing He’d love more than to have a close, personal relationship with you. You were worth dying for! And you are worth pursuing. You are deeply loved. You’re in my heart and in my prayers.