Of friendships that inspire. It was a very busy morning, running about the orphanage in the hot, Baja Mexico sun making sure everything was ready for the new baby that was arriving that afternoon. We didn’t know much about the new baby except that she had been found abandoned alongside the road. We began to discuss all that needed to be done to make sure this child was adequately taken care of.
While we were busy with our own plans, a barely, 5-foot-tall, 32-year-old orphaned woman, with special needs, stepped up to our meeting. Even with limited manual dexterity, she held her hands together tightly in a way she could still fold them. Her voice was soft and hard to understand, yet her smile spoke louder than her words, and we all understood the words she said that day.
“Let’s pray.”
She began to encourage` the group of staff to join our hands in prayer. I spent a year with Lupe and watched and learned from this powerful prayer warrior. To this day, she is still one of the strongest, most inspiring women I have ever met.
The gorgeous Lupe.
Along this journey of life, I have come to find that one of the greatest gifts are the people God brings our way. These friends become great encouragers for us in times of need as we journey through life together.
In Proverbs 27:9b it says:
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
Friendships
My husband and I moved to the Netherlands when we were newly married as missionaries. Everything was a new experience for us. Like, living in a new country, learning a new language, and let’s face it, pretty much a new everything. I remember in our first year, walking into a Dutch church in the small village of Hillegom. Looking around for a seat, I noticed an open row and walked up and asked the woman sitting there, “Is dit stoel vrij?” (Is this seat open?) I wasn’t sure if I said it correctly in Dutch or not, so I was thrilled when she answered back, with a smile,” Ja zeker!” (Yes, of course.)
From that moment on, we were friends. She was in her early 80’s at the time. I would spend time at her home baking with her as she taught me the Dutch language. Annie has since passed away, but I will always remember how she would say, “God is good to me” and share how she experienced His faithfulness in her life. She refreshed my soul.
Julie & the Late Annie.
I love this quote from one of my Dutch heroes, Corrie Ten Boom:
“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
Every person put in our path is for a reason and even prepares us for what He has for us in the future. It is His hand in every aspect of our lives that He would send the people He does at the right time.
Our two children were both born in the Netherlands. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter we had moved to a new city and again I was starting to settle in a new place. One Sunday at church, I met a woman named Nellie. We began to get to know one another and believe it or not, she was also pregnant with her daughter at the same time as me. What a blessing that God would put a perfect friend in my path! As our friendship grew, so did our bellies. 😉
Julie & Nellie both in the 3rd trimester.
One of the joys of life is the people we meet along the way and share the journey with. Whether it is learning to pray with passion, being mentored, or having a devoted friend in a key season of life. We don’t have to go on the journey alone.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 38:2
No matter how many times we move or the different seasons of life we are in, what heartache or joy we may experience, we can live in the confidence that God is guiding us. He shows His care for us by bringing friends to travel along with us on the pathway of life.
It is a pathway that I have been blessed to travel with friends like Lupe, Annie and Nellie. Each one has refreshed my soul at just the right time.
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9b
Steve and Julie Kramer and their two kids, Kees (“case”) and Sela (“sayla”) have been missionaries to the Netherlands and Oregon for 15 years working in church planting and university ministries. The Kramers now work with CityServe International focusing their efforts on bringing the hope of Jesus to impossible situations and serving the special needs community and their families. Read about their life and ministry at www.stevekramer.org.
How do we stay on top of it and ensure that we continue to spark joy and keep working at it?
What are the ways you can rekindle your relationship and the commitments with your partners but more so with our heavenly father who longs to spend time with us? He longs for us to sit at His feet and marvel at His promises.
Let us put every distraction aside and pursue Him as He pursues His loved ones.
God bless you as you intentionally pursue and long for more of Him.
As a single lady, one area that I’m sure a lot of us experience challenges is sexual intimacy. The clamor for sex is sickening. The enemy dangles it in your face like you can’t do without it. You can’t damage your life before marriage. You have to step into it whole ~Hebrews 13:4. When you crave for something the most, it never comes your way. You don’t need to pleasure yourself in the bid to while away time i.e. masturbate. You need to pour yourself into an activity that brings self-worth, pride, and fulfillment.
Sometimes I feel left out? But then am I really? Life is in stages and everyone goes through them at different times Eccl 3:1-11. I am blessed with singleness, and I need to enjoy it and accomplish the unaccomplished goals. I noticed that when I start being idle the temptations arise. Therefore, don’t mark time, be involved, and bless lives.
Another area is purpose. I think sometimes we need to ask “Who am I? What are my strong attributes? Do I believe in myself?”. Here are some things I know about me.
I am bold, courageous, friendly, funny, I save well, I am brilliant, I have good ideas, I love to see things change, I love fries, chocolate, I have a knack for good things. Most of all, I’m loved by the King of kings John 3:16
What then should define me? What God says or the compliments I have from people? The reason I ask these questions is that as a single lady, there are times I feel alone or maybe something’s wrong somewhere. So then I start to search for where those thoughts are coming from and question my motives or thought process ~Romans 12:2, Phil 4:8.
Here are more examples of those questions. Do I think that when I don’t have a particular interest in a type of man, I’m not beautiful or attractive? Am I a people pleaser than a God pleaser? Do I always seek reaffirmation from people always? Do I feel unworthy because I’m feeling not love-able? What baggage do I carry that hinders me from being free to be loved?
I honestly dread a bad testimony about me from people I have interacted with. The fear of them knowing my flaws makes me feel unworthy, unlovable and could make it difficult when actually someone might care.
I know some of you might be like me with all these thoughts. I just want to let you know that you are not alone. I find my strength daily in God’s word and here are a few of those I love are Ps 139:7-18, Phil5:6-7, Rom 8:28;35-39, Jer29:11, Eccl3:1-11, Jos1:7-9.
These verses encourage all the time knowing that He has a plan and being single is part of that, so I take my time to enjoy it to the fullest.
To all my single ladies out there, your best days are ahead of you. Keep your head high and wait in purity.
Love,
Seyi.
My name is Seyi Alalade. I’m from Nigeria and yoruba by tribe. I’m the last of a huge family of 8. I’m a scientist by profession specializing in the biopharmaceutical industry. I’ve been in the Netherlands for 7 years and lived in 6 different cities. I enjoy traveling, singing, dancing, hosting people and enjoying movies. Most of all, Jesus is my friend!
Romantic relationships are interesting things. We hear and see so much about them on screens or on books, yet when it comes to our own real life, it can get a bit messy. In this video I want to share a bit how God helped me to sort out some of my messiness by breaking three big lies. This is my journey, and by taking you along with me I hope to encourage, challenge and help you to find more hope and healing.
Irene is Italian but lives in the Netherlands. Lawyer by profession works full time for God’s Kingdom with YWAM Heidebeek. She is passionate about relationships, nature, traveling, good food, and embroidery. She is engaged to Jonathan and will get married in November 2020.
Remember the prayer I prayed ” Thank God for being patient with me”.
In the valley, He was patient me and when it was time to get back and open my curtains, the Holly Spirit whisphered “its time child” and by His grace, I listened to His nudging and picked up my comfortable mat because it was time.
God is indeed patient with us. We have moments when we might have ‘ slagged’ in pursuing our purpose because of life’s struggles but He is always waiting with arms wide open. So , when you feel it’s time to step right back up, know that you are never alone. Your purpose is still where you left it at. You can pray ” show me my purpose Lord” no wrong in that but I feel we should praying ” Lord, where can I start from or continue from? I feel like you are leading me to this, should I go ahead?”.
My spiritual life equals my physical life. So how do I practice healthy habits or seek healthy habits that will change my life. I go back to my healthy morning habits that will help me face my trauma and see me though this weight loss journey and finally being able to get back on track with God and my physical situation. I am a brand new me and I have finally opened the curtain and with God’s grace , I am not going back to that valley no more. We need to ‘wake up’ from our slumber as humanity is thirsty for our gifts and our presence.
We should also not be comparing our lives with others, some of us have been called to hospitality to smile at people and hug them, others have been called to the screens with microphones, to speak up in boldness without shame, and more so others behind the screen or any public scene. Whether staying at home and pouring your love to those tiny ones or in the corridors of the corporate world, shining Jesus’s love and kingdom principles in an environment that is thirsty for it. I pray we all discover what is that thing, we have been called to do.
Why does God keep waking you up each morning? We can’t pour out from an empty heart. On the other hand, we can’t keep ‘hiding’ and soaking up, we need a channeling out ~ a system that operates in balance of flowing in and out. That’s why we are here.
We ought to be both a Mary and a Martha in kingdom work. Wisdom is realising when you have been in one of the season’s for too long and doing the necessary. Have you been soaking up too long and feel like God is nudging you to get back out there?, or have you been leaking out and pouring out for so long and feel like you are no longer speaking from the vine but more so adding your own words?
Thank God in His mercies and grace for being patient with us. But in His patience, there is still a gentle nudge and whisper calling out His sons and daughters to take up their positions and be His hands and feet in this world. Lean in , and take up space with the confidence that you are not doing it alone and in your own might.
He has your back. “It’s time child” He whispers. The sign – Jesus Christ) prophesied long ago is here now, we don’t need to look for it.
There are so many opinions surrounding why children born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss are reffered to as ~ Rainbows. Many mothers have lost 1st borns and then gone to lose the next baby(s). So for them, how do they refer to the baby that follows if and when they are blessed with one? For many others , it has brought encouragement and made parents open up and share their grief and loss stories and the babies that followed. A rainbow term for their baby offers peace, hope and a promise that is here or is to come. For some, they do not want to refer to their babies as rainbows because to them, it only means that their angel baby therefore becomes the storm, and for them, they are not the storm but came during a storm.
For me, Amirah, came at a time when everything around me was dark just like how the storm clouds rage in darkness. I introduced her in a previous post as our rainbow miracle, just like what the rainbow symbolized in the bible. To me, she was a true symbol of God’s faithfulness which He gives and continues to show, as He promises to take care of us and protect us during and after the storm. The storm might end but there will surely be stormy clouds hovering around ready to discourage us. However, we must not lose hope because the promise keeper is a good father and blesses like one. To me, she’s my rainbow miracle and here is a letter I wrote for her 1st birthday.
Letter to my baby
Oooh, where do I start! The 1st time I introduced you, I spent more time talking about your angel sister Olivia. However, today is your day and I promised myself that I will only talk about you . But I am torn, how can my my heart be sad yet grateful at the same time. It is amazing and still mind-blowing how sadness, grief and abundant gratitude can be in one basket. I am now convinced that what is required is a balance of each so that joy can be felt.
Its your 1st birthday and I look at you in your papa’s arms and your proud big sister next to you helping you blow out the candle. My mind immediately strays and thinks about your angel sister Olivia and how she would be next to you as well. I then feel the emptiness and her absence is very evident. For a moment, I wanted something that I could not have but within moments , I quickly was back present in the moment and your smile made me count my blessings.
I do not know if you would have been here if Olivia were to be here now. What I know is that you are here now, not to ever replace her but to tell my heart that it can love again and for sure you are doing a great job in this. Amirah, I would like to say how sorry I am for the times I was looking for your angel sister in your eyes. Going forward, though the storm clouds may hover around my heart and make me feel the despair, I promise that I will not let it overwhelm me. One thing the experience with your sister Olivia taught me is that yes, the despair and sadness will ways exist but I can not push them away to the point of them being nonexistent . All I can do is cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, as the rest I may never understand and that’s ok.
I have come a long way but for sure I am a better student now in this class that teaches how to grieve and love at the same time. The lessons are far from over and haven’t been easy either, because losing your sister has changed me forever. Even if you would have come many years after Olivia, I would still grieve her loss and love you at the same time. It is just a contrast we will have to live with and take it as a beautiful journey. You are here and my heart is full of love for you. Loving you has opened a new self in me. I am able to express my positive emotions more openly and I am even saying many yes(s) to you and your sister more and more. I love you my Pendo.
When we found out we were expecting you, we especially, I had not had the time to digest everything that had happened with your sister Olivia and how her arrival almost cost my life. So the 40 weeks of you in my stomach were filled with worry, fear, and anxiety but in the midst of them all, hope endured. During that time, I was grieving but fully grateful for the miracle of carrying you. When you were born and were handed to me, I held you tightly but could not stop crying for about 10 minutes or so.
With your big sister, Imani-Jane (Faith-God is gracious), she came out and I immediately was in prayer mode, I was praying and saying ‘Thank you Lord’’X 100 ;). With your angel sister Olivia Amali (Hope), I had battled everything to keep her and now in the final battle arena, I felt like I had lost everything including myself. So when she came rushing out, I just sobbed silently with tears pouring down my face and made no sound until much later when I broke down. Now with you, it was like a tear-packed worship service with no words except those plainly written in my heart to God. I have heard of those who are filled with Holy Spirit and start laughing uncontrollably, in your case I was crying but because of shock and deep hurt.
In those early weeks and months, I had also just discovered that I too have emotions and I am allowed to feel them, understand them and express them as raw and polished as they come. So, time and time again, after your birth I would shut down, open my suitcase of raw emotions so I could get a glimpse of how they looked on that specific day or season. I would allow myself to feel them and express them later on or immediately. To be honest, I might have taken too long inside the suitcase on many occasions which led to me not welcoming you fully and I apologize for this. It’s like I was afraid, I don’t even know why and this led to me not introduce your arrival to loved ones for a long time. In my heart, I wanted to welcome you fully 1st to myself and only then show you to everyone. Your papa had to take this introduction role in the 1st months.
All went well in the 1st few weeks but all broke loose again when you were diagnosed with extreme eczema. To be honest, those months have gone to be very traumatizing for us. Seeing you scratch and ache in pain and with nothing we could do, broke our hearts and still do when eczema re-surfaces time and time again. Each time you cry now, it’s like something is triggered in my brain and I freeze. I want that pain you are feeling to freeze as well. Being in a dark place emotionally coupled with sleep deprivation made me vulnerable to many things in a negative way and I am sorry it did not bring out the best in me. Growing up, I had no time to feel any emotions. Therefore, I put up walls so heavy and thick to protect my mind and heart. Previously, I absolutely would never put myself in a position of vulnerability, I was always fully on guard.
a letter to my baby
One thing I recently realized when I told a colleague that you were almost one was that I was so focused on making you comfortable and taking care of eczema that I most of the time missed watching you grow. When we spent time together, I was always alert just so you don’t scratch. I never really let go and it’s something I am learning seeing how you are growing now and how thankful the eczema is getting better. We still have a long way to go but definitely, further away from where we have come from, and for that, I am deeply grateful. Amirah, I will say this, you are a very strong girl and I know you get this from your mama and Oma-Kenya.
My princess Amirah, when you were born, I said many blessings over you and one was because of your middle name Godelieve (God’s love) which is your late sweet Oma’s name. Like I declared that day, may you not just be a beautiful princess with your beauty, but may you heal hearts and love selflessly. May you live to your Oma’s legacy and may God’s love just like your name, shine through you to other people so that they may see Christ in you as the living hope of glory and this may cause them to glorify God.
I was crying up to here, but now am smiling silly when I think about how intentional we are with the names we have given both your sisters and yourself and how God seals them with His mark like a prayer. My love, you now obviously know that I have loved other children before you and you came at a time when my heart had been crushed and I was sure to my ‘standards’, that there wasn’t any chance I was able to have any love left to love again.
After your big sister, I loved your angel sister very much but did not get a chance to bring her home and my heart was in pain. But, I was very wrong about my heart’s love capacity. Despite our rough start and my fear of loving you, my heart was fully capable and also ready to love you. I loved you before you were put in my arms and the crying when you were born, was all my fears melting away and my heart receiving you wholeheartedly. You are my rainbow miracle and beautiful addition to the Ibis family.
Amirah, you are a courageous girl and such a delight. You have filled our hearts with so much joy and cheer, we had no idea we were living in deficit. Your big sister keeps saying ‘’ I can’t believe she is here/ I am so happy she is here with me/ she makes me so happy’’. Each time she says this, I always feel a lump in my throat and happy tearful eyes. I won’t even talk about how you make your papa feel, I see it in his eyes and it makes me love him even more. I already warned him that you are mine because he already has I-J ;).
We have passed through fire as a family but having you and your sister is the bond that has kept us strong and given us hope. I only started saying ‘I love you’ 12 years ago when I met your papa but in the last one year, I have said so many ‘I love you’s to you and your sister that compensates for those many years I didn’t express it. Thank you for teaching us the basics like letting go of petty things in order to enjoy the present beauty life brings.
Amirah Godelieve Zahara Ibis, you know to me you are ‘ Pendo’ and ‘Mama’ because you gonna love like a Mama. May you grow up to know that you are loved deeply and beyond measure, just like you have loved us and continue to do. You are a gift to us and a reminder from our heavy father that our broken hearts were very much capable of loving again. God brought you into our lives to heal our broken hearts at His beautiful time.
Happy 1st birthday Amirah. May you continue bouncing God’s love around the room and the world.
Christine gives us insights into how it is so normal for the fathers in this generation to run to their children, but it was not the case in the olden days. We see that the father in the parable of the prodigal son was aware of the shame he was bringing to himself but he did not let this stop him.
His eyes were fixed on the precious one returning home. He who was once lost was now found. May we walk in the confidence that our father truly and deeply loves us with a love that is unconditional and even as we stray away, we are never far gone from His love. He is always on the lookout for our return.
“..In the first century, however, a Middle Eastern man never — never — ran. If he were to run, he would have to hitch up his tunic so he would not trip. If he did this, it would show his bare legs. In that culture, it was humiliating and shameful for a man to show his bare legs.
So, here’s the question: If it was shameful for a man to run in that culture, why did the father run when his son returned to him? What motivated him to shame himself? Before we answer that question, we have to understand an important first-century Jewish custom.
Kenneth Bailey, author of The Cross & the Prodigal, explains that if a Jewish son lost his inheritance among Gentiles, and then returned home, the community would perform a ceremony, called the kezazah. They would break a large pot in front of him and yell, “You are now cut off from your people!” The community would totally reject him.
So, why did the father run? He probably ran in order to get to his son before he entered the village. The father runs — and shames himself — in an effort to get to his son before the community gets to him, so that his son does not experience the shame and humiliation of their taunting and rejection. The village would have followed the running father, would have witnessed what took place at the edge of the village between father and son.
After this emotional reuniting of the prodigal son with his father, it was clear that there would be no kezazah ceremony; there would be no rejecting this son — despite what he has done. The son had repented and returned to the father. The father had taken the full shame that should have fallen upon his son and clearly shown to the entire community that his son was welcome back home.
The amazing application for our own lives is crystal clear. Our heavenly Father has taken our shame through his Son, Jesus, who willingly endured the cross on our behalf. He took our sins’ shame so that we would not have to. As a result, we can be forgiven, restored — accepted. We do not have to fear going home to our Father and confessing our sins, no matter what we have done, or how many times we have done it (remember, Jesus taught his followers to forgive 70 times seven).
In the parable, only the father could restore the son to full sonship in the family. In our case, we are sinners, and there is nothing that we can do to restore our lost relationship with the Holy God of the Universe. He calls us and waits — a single repentant step in his direction, and he is off and running to welcome us back home!
Not only does God forgive us, but he takes upon himself our shame. He lifts off that weight that we carry on our shoulders for our past mistakes, and willingly wipes the slate clean once more. May we experience what the prodigal son encountered upon returning to the Father: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20)…” In-depth commentary by By Matt Williams.
Christine is a medical doctor by profession. When she is not hosting bible studies in her home, she will be found hosting large dinners for friends and baking. She and her husband are pastors at Damascus Road International Church in Maastricht. She is a mother two lovely boys.
Another due date has just passed and Olivia would have been one this week. I have so many things to write about, but I realized I have not introduced our rainbow miracle. I also don’t want to keep addressing her by the name – ‘baby’ in my posts .
Here is Amirah Godelieve Zahara Ibis. I call her ‘ Pendo’ and ‘Mama’, because she’s gonna love like a Mama . She’s double her birth weight now and just started tasting carrots this week.
I have written about how we intentionally name our babies in an old post. But in summary, it’s entails fun , prayer and testimony of what God has seen us through that season in our lives.
It’s always amazing to see how God reveals the real meaning of our children’s names so early on. We usually name at the beginning of the second trimester. Then, we later see how our babies get to live up to their names.
For IJ (Imani-Jane , it was a time of faith and grace in our lives. Jane is also my mom’s name, so it fit so perfectly. It’s a blessing to see her grow into this beautiful woman of faith at just the age of seven.
With our second born, Olivia Amali, we wanted IJ to be part of the naming. So, I-J and papa chose Olivia – symbol of peace and rest. Amali is hope in Swahili. I don’t think there are any other names that would have been perfect for our angel baby Olivia. The storm we went through, peace and hope were our only anchor. With fear never being part of the story. Hence the name of this page.
I just realized this post was to introduce Princess Amirah , but there’s no introducing her without talking about her sisters. That doesn’t take the focus off her, it’s just how it is.
She will grow up knowing she has an angel sister who came before her. She will grow up knowing that she is here as a gift from our father to mend our hearts and prove to us that our broken hearts can really love again.
Welcome Rainbow Baby
* Amirah means princess. * Godelieve ( God’s love) is my mother in law who passed away this past Easter season. We had given the name already before my mom in law passed away and every time we visited her in the hospital, I wanted to tell her the baby’s name.
Especially on the day we could see she knew she was leaving us. But then again, I wanted her to be alive to meet her other love. So, I didn’t tell her, so she can be alive to witness it, but she didn’t make it . Am sure, she knew.
1cor 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Why the name LOVE?.
***Our hearts had been broken and we were not sure we would love again, but God’s love has a way of healing broken hearts in His time.
*** Also, my mother in law left a legacy worth looking up to. She lived her life so selflessly, continuously giving herself to the service and care of children from struggling families. She cared for more than 900 babies all of whom called her Mama. You can imagine what a love story her send off was like.
So what a perfect name to give to our daughter. It’s our prayer that Amirah will not just be a beautiful princess, but with her beauty, may she heal hearts, love selflessly. If she can live her life even just 50% of how her Oma Godelieve lived hers, we will be very proud parents. May God’s love just like her name, shine through her to other people that they may see Christ in her the living hope of glory and this may cause them to glorify God.
***Zahara means to shine and flower. May her life bring light and brightness to her generation and other generations. May she be a delight wherever she goes. May God use her to bring beauty where there is ashes.
Thank you all for the support all through. Lots of love Mama Faith, Hope and Love.
Heading to work this morning and grateful for the fact that Oma Kenya is here to take over.
Daycare would have been the default thing but am terrified to think of how they would have managed with baby’s skin sensitivity. Daycare is perfect when your child is healthy and can be taken care of in general like the other children, not when unwell and have to be given extra attention – no manpower for this.
So as I transition back to work, I had various emotions which made me realize the various emotions and struggles around us. I therefore, just wanted to encourage us this morning to run into our father’s arms because He’s got our back.
IN YOUR FATHER’S ARM:
Am letting go and running with arms stretched out to my father’s arms. You’ve tried to take control of everything in your life, even those beyond your ‘ glory /grace grade’ yet nothing has fallen into place. Know that there’s nothing that can compare to the peace of just being and being held in your father’s arms.
You’ve been mistreated by the very people you trusted , teach your heart to trust again and run into your father’s safe arms, where there’s no condemnation but grace.
You’ve been crushed by the world, gone through the world back and forth looking for the one you can trust, but found no one. Come home and rest in your father’s arms where you can share all your worries without shame.
You do not know how to approach or communicate in intimacy with your father anymore because of how you left things, know that you can come back into the heart of worship and inhabit in His presence. All He’s looking for is a broken and contrite heart. You have the permission to sit at His feet as He whispers to you the secrets of His Kingdom- telling you of how you belong. It doesn’t matter how you left things. What matters is, you are HERE NOW.
Image by Nelly.
In Your Father’s Arm
You have searched the ends of the world for approval from man but it was never satisfying. But He’s saying ” COME JUST THE WAY YOU ARE”. He loves you the same. You are thirsty for attention but He says thirst after Him and you’ll know thirst no more because He’s the fountain that never runs dry.
You have compared yourself with others and what they have and felt that your kids, spouse, job and all other “stuff” we accumulate doesn’t measure up to the standards of this world. Hence you marked yourself as NOT ENOUGH. Instead, He says ” YOU ARE ENOUGH”. If it was just you alone in this world, He would still die for you.
You have hidden your identity in “stuff” or people because of the approval they offer. He says “come to me, I have created you in my own image, making you a pure MASTERPIECE.
You run around worrying about the things you can’t change and about tomorrow. He says, ” I got this, just trust me”. Assuring you that He’ll never leave you.
You walk around with shoulders low because you carry burdens too heavy for you, you keep fighting, never stopping. He says ” child, don’t fight battles that have already been won. Just be and surrender into your father’s arms. I am waiting for you to relieve you of the heavy lifting. Take my yoke, it’s easier and cast your burden unto me”.
You yearn to belong and be seen, hence surrounded by thousands of ‘friends’ yet so alone and lonely. He says ” come find your clan in me”.
You thought you had arrived but just realized, you have been hurt, broken hearted and still lost. Come to your father’s arms where you will feel loved and teach your heart that it can surely love again.
You’ve been hopeless, not sure about tomorrow but He says “… Because He lives, you can surely face tomorrow..” and that your tomorrow is secure in Him.
You are starting out and trying to figure Him again. He says you only need a mustard seed of a faith to get His heart excited. He’s ready to move that mountain, giant and cloud for you. He says you will never see them again as He strives to give you freedom indeed and make you a victor.
You struggle with sleepless nights, worrying, full of anxiety, loneliness, shame , un-won battles, prescription from prescription but no solution. He urges you to reach out for His arms, as there you will find His peace which surpasses all human understanding.
You feel unappreciated, unrecognised and unworthy, but He says, that you are His child , He rejoices in you and enjoys your presence , you just need to invite Him and let Him be King because He came for the least like you.
You say ” but what about my past?” And He says “He loves you anyway and has wiped your sins, as far as the east is from the west”. So, come without shame and find healing for your heart.
You point to your weaknesses and shortcomings like Moses did… Insisting “… But I can’t….do this or that like other people because of this and that.,..” He says ” you can do all things through Him as He gives you strength, and you are strong even when you feel weak”.
You feel left out and uninvited, He says He is throwing you a banquet for your own and inviting you to the party where He’s King. (M.Lunders).
So, as you go forth and take position in this world in whatever capacity He has placed you, please be reminded that you don’t have to do it alone. He’s there for you ready with His arms wide open.
Please run to Him, with a childlike faith with no care in the world. Knowing that you are loved and adored even in your weaknesses, so just be yourself because you are unique.
