Tag: hope

I AM (poem)

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Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

(Love letter from God)

written by Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together, Isaiah 48:12b-13

I AM

the One who’s been in your yesterday and collected every single tear;

carrying you when you could not take a single step or even muster the strength to stand.

I’ve sailed on the sea of your tears and bottled each one.

I AM

the One who saw your depravity and decided I would exchange My life for yours.

I surrendered My rights, for you to have freedom, so your heart and Mine could collide.

I AM

the only One who knows you fully,

seeing you exactly as you are and how I intended you to be.

I look at you through the eyes of love; what matters to you, matters to Me.

I AM

the One who loved you first.

You will never outgrow your welcome, here in My embrace.

I AM

the One who plants flowers on your path, lights your day with sunlight,

and breathed life into your lungs.

I AM

here when you are happy, and I remain when you have lost peace.

I AM

the One who will never leave you nor forsake you.

My covenant I must keep, not out of a burden or pure obligation,

but out of love for you, the object of My affection.

I AM

rest for the torn, worn, abused, and fatigued;

the One who stands as your defense.

I will not leave you alone or defeated.

I AM

the One who has waited for you to see that only I can make you truly happy and complete.

My heart is longing to fill your sense of belonging,

as you have cried out on bended knee.

I AM

the Redeemer,

who takes all that has been lost and shattered, bringing restoration, hope,

renewing your sense of wonder.

I AM

the miracle worker.

Marvel at the works of My hands.

What is impossible with men, I can do with one word spoken from My lips.

I AM

the One who stands alone with the perfect key to your heart;

the only One who can make you whole.

You may look for another savior, but no other one you’ll find.

I AM

the Alpha and Omega;

the One who created and holds all time.

I AM

the bookends that hold your life together,

and with one whisper I can call you home.

There is no one who can stand above Me, I’m sovereign over all.

I AM

the One who created all life,

and I applaud My great work called you.

I made you for Myself, for My likeness to shine through you.

If only you could see what I see, who I made you to be.

If only you knew, in the depths of your heart, how much you mean to Me.

I AM

the One who loves you unconditionally.

My love is unlike what you’ve known.

It is not based on what you do or what you have to offer.

I love you with a love that is unbreakable, unmovable, and I will not fail you.

You may not understand My ways, but when you bask in My love

you’ll understand that I only want what’s best for you.

I AM

the One who comforts you.

In this life there will be pain, there will be loss, and sometimes your heart will ache.

I AM

the One who went ahead of you to prepare a place with no sorrow, and no pain.

A place where you and I could forever remain.

In Me there will be no more death, for I defeated it once and for all.

Take hold of My love, right here, and right now.

My love is a love that will not and cannot disappoint.

I AM

the ultimate Creator; you were made for My Glory.

All creation points to Me, and how marvelous are all My deeds.

So, My child, come.

Come to the One

who knows everything there is to know about love.

I AM

the One who can love you better than you can love yourself,

better than anyone else can.

I can see what you cannot see,

and I can make your dreams a reality.

I AM

the One to meet your deepest needs.

What your heart needs is more of Me; more of My love, more of My grace,

and more time where we meet face to face.

All other loves are simply substitutes that can not love you the way that I do.

I know you.

I see you.

Even with all that I see; I chose you, I choose you, and I want your heart to abide in Me.

There is a God sized void in all of us whether we recognize it or not. Something inside us that wants to be loved just the way we are. We long for a love that will not fail us or disappoint us. We long for security, comfort, hope, healing, justice, and unconditional love in a world that can be dark, bleak, and full of shadows. There is only One I know who does it perfectly; His name is Jesus. God knew we needed a Savior. Jesus is the only One who can save us. He is the only One who can complete us and make us whole. He sees us exactly the way we are and as the person we were created to be. We won’t find a better love. He is the only One who can do the impossible. My prayer is that God takes us so deep into the depths of His love, we are never the same.

Put Your Umbrella Down

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“You were created to be blessed.”

By Erin Lamb

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-10)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

You and I were created by God to be blessed. In Christ we are blessed and highly favored. Do you believe that? Deep in your heart do you believe that you have access to everything that Jesus paid to give you?

What we believe we empower. If we do not believe we are blessed, loved, cherished, set apart, favored, accepted, forgiven, and the apple of God’s eye, then we are essentially standing under the downpour of God’s love with an umbrella. Yes! We stand under a waterfall of God’s goodness, love, mercy and grace with an umbrella of unbelief blocking us from receiving. We see others dancing in the waterfall of His goodness and we are often upset. Where is my blessing? Why do they have joy or (fill in the blank)? Often it’s because they threw their umbrella down.

I have noticed that joyful people don’t have less problems. They simply trust God to work out their problems. They do their part and know God will do His part.

I have noticed that people who believe they are blessed, are blessed. People who believe that the world is out to get them and God doesn’t care, seem to have circumstances that validate their beliefs. What we believe is powerful. How we view God and ourselves will determine our actions. Our belief doesn’t stop God from being God. His love is still raining down, day after day, hour after hour. We, however, miss the opportunity to bask in it if we refuse to believe it’s for us.

We are His children. We are His beloved children. He has amazing plans for our lives. He doesn’t want to give us junk. He wants us filled to overflow so we ooze out the blessings of God. What a great representation of His Glory. When people can look at God’s kids and say, “They are blessed (filled with joy, love, peace, abundance, and hope) in the midst of a crumbling society, God must be better than we think.” I am not talking about monetary blessing or a prosperity message. Certainly, God wants to bless us with finances, but that is not the only indication of being blessed. We are truly blessed when we know who we are in Him, accept His love and purpose for our lives, and when we overflow with the fruits of His spirit! Then not only are we blessed, but anyone who comes into contact with us is blessed. Where His Spirit is, there is life and life more abundantly.

So here’s my prayer for us.

“Father I pray that every day we wake up looking into Your eyes as our mirror. May our view of You be transformed into the true likeness of who You are. Abba remove any obstacles to believing that You are good, we are loved, and You have great plans for our lives. Fill us to overflow. More love, more faith, and more hope in You. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.”

 

Agape

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Beautiful friends, I Thought I Knew What Love Was contains numerous reflections on the love of God. Many times we explore the depths of God’s love only to find out that there is so much more. On this journey with Him, each day provides more insight into His love. God is love. His very nature is love.

God is agape love. Agape love is self-sacrificing in nature, unconditional, and unwavering. Agape love is not based on the merit or behavior of the recipient. There is nothing we can do to earn this love. It is the very essence of the One we worship.

God demonstrated agape when He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for us. He sacrificed for the lovely, the unlovely, the wicked, and for those who will never reciprocate His love. I might choose to lay down my life for someone I thought was innocent. I might even surrender my life for a guilty person, if I thought they would eventually be saved. However, I am certain that it would take an act of God for me to sacrifice my only child for the world knowing some would still reject my love.

God loves us more than we can imagine. Here is an excerpt from I Thought I Knew What Love Was.

Agape

by Erin Lamb © Copyright 2011

“God’s message of love.”

I see you in your place of laughter,

your place of happiness,

and your place of hurting.

I see also your places of sorrow.

I embrace you in your times of tears,

and I dance with you in your times of jubilee.

I watch over you in the nighttime

and every second of the day.

I adore you,

despite any of your shortcomings.

I am in your past,

your present,

and in your future.

I delight in all that I have made.

I know you.

I am closer to you than any other being.

I have placed My covering over you,

and that covering is “Love.”

My name is Love;

that love is agape love,

an unfailing love.

I am the love that forgives you,

intercedes for you,

and I am the love that willingly took your place.

I am the love that has compassion for you,

wants to give you My best,

and so many wonderful things.

This is My love for you.

A love that seeks to fill you with more and more,

so your heart’s cup overflows.

I am the love that can never be replaced.

I invest in you.

I wait to meet with you.

I have given My life,

so you may live free.

I took the blame.

I took your shame,

so you could be with Me for a time without end.

My love for you will never disappoint.

My love does not fall short;

it cannot fail, and it can never be destroyed.

Even when you cannot see My love or sense My love,

it encompasses everything that surrounds you.

I have chosen you;

I selected you just for Me.

I cherish you.

I take pleasure in you.

You are My heart’s prize.

Every hair on your head,

I know them,

and I can tell you the length of every one.

Even if the entire world walks out on you,

please know that you are loved.

You cannot fathom

the way love was truly meant to be,

but if you ask for revelation,

I will tell you what I mean.

I love you

more than your achievements,

or lack thereof.

I love you more than your social standing.

I love you in your place of being outcast and feeling forgotten.

I love you past your points of weakness

and insecurity.

I love you past your imperfections,

though I can see each one.

I love you past your sinful nature.

My love is the reason I sent My only Son.

I watched Him hang there.

I watched Him suffer there;

the burdens of the world were weighing on His soul.

I placed Myself in harm’s way,

so you could find new life in Me.

You won’t find this love for you in any other place.

People have searched and searched,

only to still have emptiness in that place.

It is the place that was meant for only Me.

A God-shaped void cannot be filled

by frivolous earthly things.

I want to love you.

I long to love you.

Even if you turn and walk away,

I love you now, and I will love you always.

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

Photo taken from Microsoft Clip Art.

I Am (Listening to God’s Heart)

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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.”

A Million Souls

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A Million Souls
By Erin Lamb

“…with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible fulfillment,” Luke 1:37.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,'” Mark 16:15.

God is amazing! He more than amazing, but I cannot think of a word sufficient enough to capture His goodness. Not only is God good, He does things that are so incredible! God does things that shock our minds and rattle our logic. For example, the fact that God would send His Spirit to breathe life into Mary to birth the Messiah; isn’t that radical? It is the only true virgin birth in history. To have that same man Jesus die on a cross taking on all of humanity’s sins only to rise again. It’s radical. Some would say impossible! However, with God nothing is ever impossible. He lives in the realm of, “If I think it, it can happen.” How incredible it is to love someone so good and so powerful.

So, in pondering His goodness, I thought what could I ask Him for that’s also beneficial for the Kingdom! Well, I asked for a million souls. For a million people to come to know Jesus through my life, testimony, and legacy. It’s an ambitious prayer request. I’m a regular person serving an extraordinary God.

My heart’s desire is to help enlarge heaven. I want it to be the biggest party ever! I want His name to be even more famous in the earth because He is so good. Will you help me?

How you can help:

1. Pray for more laborers, people to share the gospel. The harvest is plentiful, we need more laborers.

2. Pray for the lost. Take time daily or weekly to pray for those who don’t know how good God is. Ask God to open their eyes and heart. Pray and keep praying.

3. Share God’s love with others! You don’t have to be smooth or have all the answers. Share your story, what God has done for you!

4. Ask God to open doors for you to talk to people about how good God is, then walk through those doors.

It’s that simple friends! Thank you for your prayers, love, and support! Together we can change the world. We can transform our sphere of influence!

P.S God=Love! Spread the word. 🙂

Perfect Love

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Perfect Love
By Erin Lamb

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. God is good to all. He has compassion on all that He has made. ~paraphrase of Psalm 145:8-10.

God is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Psalm 100:5

Have you ever felt unloved? Have you ever felt as though God was trying to punish you through bad things happening?

Well, I recall having conversations with God where I asked why I didn’t feel His love. I recall going to Him in times of tragedy looking for what I needed to learn from it instead of crawling up into His love as a safe place.

Over the years I’ve found that His love is perfect. The times when I did not feel His love were the times where I expected it to flow perfectly from those who claimed to be His children, times when I was lead by emotions, and times of intense trials and tribulations.

The truth is that God is love. Faith says, “Even when I don’t feel loved, I believe that God is love.” Faith says, “Though I do not always understand His ways, I can trust His heart.” Faith says, “His word is truth whether my emotions line up or not.” It boils down to this one word, “Faith.”

Investigating the questions:

If God’s Spirit is in His children, why do they behave in un-loving ways?

People are human and therefore come with flaws. We will not find perfect love in another human being. We may find people who make us feel loved from time to time, but they will never be able to replace God or fill our need for His love. I truly believe God allows us sometimes to be disappointed by people so we will see only He is perfect. Only He loves perfectly. When we elevate people above Him or even on the same level as God, we will always be disappointed. He wants our pure devotion to be to Him. Only He completes the human heart.

If God loves me, why do so many bad things happen to me and in the world?

I dare not try to answer this fully. I can say that some of the bad things that happen are simply a result of living in a fallen world. Some of the bad things happen because Jesus said in the world we would have tribulation, but to take heart as He overcame the world. Some bad things happen due to the fact this isn’t heaven. Some bad things happen because of our sin or the sins of others. Some bad things happen due to a lack of prayer. Some bad things happen as a result of our bad choices and decisions.

When life is hard, run to Him. Only He has all the answers. Only He knows all and sees all. I’ve found He does not answer all my questions, but He always responds with love. I’ve learned He is faithful to tell me what I need to know. I’ve learned He is more interested in drawing me close to His heart than beating me down with harsh circumstances. I’ve learned He’s the best friend I’ve ever had. And while my heart still bows in respect, honor, and admiration for Him, I still trust that His eyes are flooded with love and through Jesus I can go boldly to His throne.

Whatever you face and however you feel, my prayer is that you know that God loves you! You may be hurting right now, but He longs to comfort, heal, and shower you with love. He is the safest person you can go to! He is overflowing with compassion. He is overflowing with love. He is the only One who understands you perfectly, loves you perfectly, and can do more for you than anyone can! It’s God. It will always be Him standing with arms wide open ready to be there for you.

Closing prayer:

“Abba shower us with hope, healing, and Your agape love. Remove any barriers to receiving Your perfect love. You love us! May we believe it, feel it, and experience it every day!”

You’re a Child of the King

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So, I have been missing in action for the past few weeks. I have not forgotten you. There have been a few things that have temporarily grabbed my focus.

Enough about me, how are you? How has life been treating you? I hope exceptionally well.

I like to turn my ear to God and wait for what stirs in my heart. He speaks in a still, peaceful voice. Today He deposited the encouragement below. It was originally for my female friends, but I made it gender neutral, men need encouragement too. I hope it inspires you, encourages you, and puts a smile on your face. Keep your head up high, you’re a much loved child of the King.

Child of the King

Inspired by Jesus

You are My child. My priceless treasure. You are the one that I came and died for. Yes, for 33 years I walked the earth, thinking of you, knowing that the day was coming that I would give My very life to save you. You were and are always on My mind. Everything about you makes me smile. I was so happy, delighted, and excited to make you. I would do it all again. I would suffer again, to have a deep, intimate relationship with you. How I long for you to know that I am crazy about you. I can’t take My eyes off of you. I have so many wonders to share with you. I have so many mysteries to reveal to you. How I long to draw you into My Quarters, for time alone to speak My heart, to your heart.

I placed the stars in your eyes. How they sparkle and shine. I placed My words in your heart, so seeds could grow and would grow tall! There is no mountain I will not move for you. There is nothing that touches your heart, that does not touch Mine. How I long for the day when you look into the eyes of Love, My eyes, and see all the beauty I have placed inside of you. You are a gift.

You are the love of My heart.

I never want anyone or anything to take My place. I love you that much. I have so many amazing plans for your life. If you could see Me, you’d see me sitting on the edge of My throne, loaded with promises, loaded with gifts, loaded with great things made just for you. I never want you to look at someone else’s gifts and want what they have. I want you to turn your face towards Me and trust that I have the best plan. I LOVE you! I am CRAZY with love for you.

You don’t have to be perfect; I am perfect for you.

You don’t have to carry guilt or shame; I paid the penalty for all your sins. So forgive others, ask for forgiveness, and receive all that I paid to give.

You don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold; I made one mold for you!

You don’t have to try hard; just fall back on My love.

You don’t have to worry; I am sending you help from above.

You don’t have to fear; I am Your Protector, Provider, and an ever present help in trouble.

You don’t have to strive; I designed you to thrive.

You don’t have to pick yourself apart to be humble; I am your identity, it is rooted in relationship with Me.

You don’t have to search for love; I am all the LOVE that you will need. Anything else I give you is simply icing on the cake!

You don’t have to meet your own needs; I have the capability and desire to meet all your needs according to My riches in Glory. Just ask and wait for Me.

You don’t have to defend yourself; I am your defense.

You don’t have to figure it out; I have all the answers.

You don’t have to be alone; I am with you always.

You don’t have to fight through life; I send you help from heaven’s throne. The battle has already been won and anything else you face I have made provisions for.

You don’t have to be insecure; I have made you beautiful/handsome, set apart, chosen, lovely, the King’s child, a royal heir, and your future is secure in Me.

You don’t have to be without a friend; I am the friend who sticks closer than a brother!

You don’t have to feel left out or forgotten; I can never forget you, your dreams, or even the unspoken desires of Your heart. Just trust Me. Trust My timing. Know that your dreams and desires are written on My heart.

You don’t have to feel rejected or fear rejection; I have adopted you into My family. No one can separate you from My love. You and I were meant to be.

You are the King’s child. You are loved so deeply and profoundly. No one can take your place in My heart. I am here. I will always be here. Cheering for you. Wanting the best for you. Loving you. Singing your praises in the heavens. Praying for you. Watching over you. Listening to you. Wanting more of you. Desiring all of your heart. Eagerly awaiting time alone with you. I have so much to show you, teach you, and share with you. Most of all may you never forget, “I will always love you.”

If God is Love, then why…?

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If God is Love, then why…?
By Erin Lamb

Have you struggled with the concept that God is a God of love because of the why’s of life? You know the why’s: why did this happen, why does this keep happening, why aren’t my prayers being answered, why do bad things happen to good people? Have you been there? Have you asked those questions or similar questions? If so, you are not alone. Job asked questions. David asked questions. God is not offended by questions. He longs to relate to us.

The truth is there is something in us that desires heaven on earth now, for the wrongs to be made right, and for the world to make sense. The complete fullness of heaven will be a reality, when Jesus returns and reigns. We experience some of it now, but the best is yet to come. All the world will be flooded with His love and presence. So what do we do in the meantime?

Well, I dare not attempt to answer all the why’s. That would be a book and not a blog. I also don’t know the answer to all the why’s. What I can do is share one personal experience with you and what I learned.

The year after I graduated from college one of the closest people to me was diagnosed with cancer. How I loved (love) her. She was the one who would sit on the front porch with me when I was kid, who’d entertain my silliness, and there’s no one in the world like her. She radiated God’s love.

We believed God for healing. We prayed. We prayed some more! We believed God. We were trusting God. We just knew God would heal her. I sat with her some days just watching her waste away. I watched her in pain. This person who was kind, loving, a great mom, a great friend, a great sunday school teacher, a bright light in the community. She was dying. Sitting with the dying is emotionally traumatic. You want to fix it, immediately. You press in for breakthrough like it’s your own life that depends on it.

Well, breakthrough didn’t come. The day she died, I felt like all the air left my body. I felt as though my heart might burst into a million pieces. I cried. I continued to cry until I felt all the tears had left my body. I thought for a moment, “Why God?” A song eventually erupted in my heart. There was worship in the midst of the anguish, which had to be His Spirit springing forth to comfort mine.

It was one of the worst days of my life. I knew God could do anything. I knew He could heal. I’d seen too much not to believe. So why not now? Well, years later here are a few things my heart has settled on.

1. We live in a sinful world. Life doesn’t always make sense to my mind, but everything God does is in love, even if I can’t see it or explain it. He is always good. He’s perfect.

2. God heals cancer. It doesn’t matter what one situation looks like; He is the healer. If it doesn’t happen, it isn’t because He can’t do it, or He’s trying to prove a point. I also believe He doesn’t cause sickness, there is no sickness in heaven. Sickness and death entered the world due to sin. So you keep praying for the sick and pursuing breakthrough. Jesus told the disciples to heal the sick.

3. His comfort and love are able to sustain a person through the worst of situations. He’s the best friend we could ever have. He draws near when we can’t even lift our heads to pray.

4. He is overflowing with compassion. There is nothing that affects our hearts that does not touch His heart. He is not distant, cold, or unfeeling. He runs towards the hurting.

5. Going through challenges builds compassion for others. Without compassion, there is no genuine love. We cannot love people and not be touched by what happens to them.

6. God is in the hard stuff, always willing to help, we just don’t often see it due to our pain or lack of understanding.

7. There is always something good that can come from the unfortunate things in life if we invite Him into it. He will give us beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow, and love for pain.

8. Jesus understands. If you read about His life on earth, He was rejected, betrayed, sold out for money, and abused. He knows what it feels like to suffer. And He’s the best person to turn to during the hard times.

I conclude this entry by saying, instead of trying to figure out all the why’s, climb up into His arms, and let Him love you. Invite Him into the pain. Invite Him into the questions. Trust that He is good, and He is love. I couldn’t say that if I hadn’t gone through some pretty challenging things in life. I won’t list them all. I gave you one peak inside this mended heart. I still have moments of somber reflections, but they are bathed in the revelation that no one ever has or ever will love me the way He does. One moment with Him trumps the pain, the grief, the battles, and challenges. He’s better than we can even imagine! God=Love

Next post will hopefully be an entry from the book written during some of the challenging times. Praying for you friends. Hang in there. You are deeply loved…