Our Father loves us. For who we are - for where we are, for US. He made us. I think about my three children and I think about how I love each one - individually - regardless of their faults. They are mine! They are precious to me. There is NOTHING I would not do for them. I would die for them. They are my heart - walking outside my body. When they hurt - I hurt. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. If we feel that way about our children - how much MORE so does God feel about us? He sent His Son to die on the cross for forgiveness of our sins. Jesus gave His life for us. Why? Because He loves us. HE LOVES US. The bible says - "If you, being evil, can give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?" (Matthew 7:11)
We are so overly critical of ourselves. Especially as women. Our expectations of ourselves, our homes, our families, our jobs - are all very high and sometimes I think that is a way the enemy attacks our mind if we don't measure up. How many of us have looked at the "Proverbs 31 woman" and sighed. Wondering if we will ever be like her? But you know - I'm thinking she was the same as we are. Sometimes we forget that the people we read about in the Bible are just that - people. Like you, like me. Imperfect. And that's okay - as long as our eyes are on Him and we are striving to be all He wants us to be. I've been reading a book, its called "The Pilgrim's Progress" the version I'm currently reading is the story retold by Gary D. Schmidt and illustrated by Barry Moser. It is well done. And it has me thinking... We are ALL pilgrims. All of us. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 1:9 "There is nothing new under the sun." We all journey, we all struggle, we all grow. We are on this "pathway" where we are to walk by faith and not by sight and it isn't always easy. We have to trust HIM. Sometimes along the pathway we just have to take His hand. Hold it firmly and let Him lead us where He wants us to go. Let go and let God. Today is that kind of day. What do you need to release to Him? Let it GO. Give it to Him. See His hand? Its open wide, palm up - ready to receive whatever you place in it. Jesus told us that "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) or in He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30). We are so use to saying - "I can handle this Lord. I can do it." I think especially in our American culture we take such pride in "independence." But God wants us to know - we CAN'T do it all ourselves. He wants us to know that we are dependent upon Him. And that is not a bad thing. How capable our Father's hands are. Give him what burdens you have - place it in His hands. I'm going to do the same. Remember what our Father says about worrying. "There for I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who are you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:25) He continues on in verse 34 to say, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
Jesus slept during the storm on that sea in Galilee. While everyone else panicked - He was at peace. Is there a storm brewing in your life right now? Keep your eyes focused on the One who commanded, "Peace be still!" (Mark 4:39). Sometimes following a storm - you can see a beautiful rainbow at the end. Let God rebuke the "wind and the rain" in your life. Sometimes I think He is saying that to us - "Peace! Be Still." We only need to listen.
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