Text: Lamentations 2:1-11, Psalm 51:11-14
There’s a beautiful hymn by Keith Green based on Psalm 51:10-12 that I learned growing up. I liked the rhythm of it more than the words, and remember my mom—a song leader and pastor’s wife—humming it around the house when we were little.
I’m an adult now, with a stronger faith than that little girl who sang “Create in Me a Clean Heart” in the hall. Still, the verse “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me” makes me stop short. Would He??
These passages we read today are Old Testament writings, a time when God directly interacted with His people through prophets and dreams and a burning bush. For one of them, whom our Lord inspired to write this Psalm, pleading to not be cast away from the Lord’s presence is a real and impactful prayer. Possession of the gift of the Holy Spirit was not a given—not a thing to be taken for granted.
Like the Israelites, we are creatures of habit. We give our lives to Christ only to try to take them back again. We experience the true love of God, the redemption of our sins, but we are determined to come back in wallow in the mess of our own making—as if we don’t have a Savior. In the second chapter of Lamentations, we find the author continuing to grieve for Jerusalem, describing God’s wrath and sin’s effects on a people who have time and again disobeyed Him. Our Lord is Holy (Psalm 99)! He cannot be near sin; by His very nature He will not tolerate its presence. We cannot be reconciled to God apart from Jesus’ saving work on the Cross. Without Him, we are like the ruins of a destroyed city.
What does this mean for us today—a broken humanity of hurting souls? It means we must return. Time and time again, amid the devastation and chaos of our wayward lives and deceitful hearts, we give ourselves back to the One who gives us life. We hand Him our ruins and receive His grace. We repent of our sins and ask again for His forgiveness—and Scripture promises He is faithful to give it (1 John 1:9).
Take not your presence from me!, we cry. And because of Christ’s righteousness has been credited to us, He grants our request! The God of all mercy and all holiness draws His repentant children near and does not cast them away—this is the good news of the Gospel.
I’m drawn to the words “reconciliation” and “forgiveness” time and time again in Scripture. God never stops offering them! Even in Lamentations, standing in the ruins, the writer’s words of hope seem to call out on our behalf (Lam. 3:55-57). God will rescue us from the depths of our pit if we only ask.
But we must ask. We must repent and receive the forgiveness our Savior has already secured. He won’t chase us down and chain us to his holy chariot — but He does extend His hand. He does pursue our hearts and offer us the sacred opportunity to follow Him.
Follow or flee. Turn toward Him or turn away. Return or reject.
May we return today and receive His love anew. Thank God He is faithful to give it.
“…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
– 2 Chronicles 7:14
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136 thoughts on "Cast Me Not Away"
Diana Stone–thank you for clearly and purposefully expressing our continual need to reflect and repent. Lamentations is difficult to read; yet, you have made connections between the Israelites and modern man that cannot be ignored.
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When I am cast away by others, plainly and for my shortcomings, I know that forgiveness, grace, and love will always be offered by Jesus. How great is our God? I am baffled. I am humbled.
I have been loving this study and the reminders that we need to be repenting over and over again to God.
In these past weeks of doing this study God has reminded me of what it means to feel broken and weak. I’ve prayed before to break me, but these past weeks I’m reminded of what repentance looks like. Thanks sRT.
“We hand him our ruins and receive his grace.” I love that. We have nothing to offer but the broken pieces of ourselves and he take them and builds us up to be better than we were before. Incredible.
Repent and return to God- nothing more freeing and encouraging to stop focusing on yourself and focus on Jesus! He is the one who brings joy unexplainable!!
I have goosebumps reading this devotional today in amazement of how the Word speaks to us. “Take not your Holy Spirit Away”. This stopped me on my tracks and had the same effect on me as when we studied Hosea and in verse 1:9 it said: Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God. It stopped me in my tracks and made me imagine a world without God and the Holy Spirit. To me this is particularly eye opening because we tend to think the Holy Spirit comes in this big swoop of air with a grandiose entrance. But when I imagine my life without the Holy Spirit I immediately see the times when He has been present in my life– the solemn quiet moments, the little moments, the times when you just know the Spirit in present. And it makes me shudder to think of where my life would be had I not accepted Jesus into my life 8 years ago. Thank you Father for being so loving even when I do not deserve it, for you have been with me even when I turned my back on you. Your mercy , forgiveness and love means everything to me. And I do not want to take for granted ever and on purpose. Amen. Have a wonderful day sisters.
The Lord has really been putting some of my own sin on my heart for the past few weeks, particularly my snarky attitude, cynicism, and my nature to gossip or talk poorly about certain individuals. Today’s reading and devotional reminds me to heed this call. To be a filter of God’s love. I pray a prayer of repentance, asking God to forgive me of my ways and to give me the discernment to recognize when these tendencies are encroaching and the strength to holdfast to Christ’s loving kindness. This season of Lent is my time to repent for my attitude. No excuses. Just repentance.
“Follow or flee. Turn toward Him or turn away. Return or reject”. This is where I am right now. Which choice? I feel like if I commit to following I am destined to fail. But am I brave enough to reject? To set out and “do life” without acknowledging God?
Antimony I hear you! But you don’t have to worry about failing – we all stumble on this journey, but He’s right there with us to help us up if we let him.
"Return or reject." We really only have two options and I, guiltily, have been choosing the second one far more often than the first. It's something that I struggle with especially in the morning when I choose the comfort of my bed & sleep over spending time in prayer with Him. Return or reject. How convicting. I'm really thankful that He never crosses His arms towards us – He always has His hand waiting for us to take and lead us. Thank You Father.
Thank you for restoring my sinful self and the joy of being in your presence.
Today I was struggling with this devotional. I would read and re read the words but I felt like there is a veil blocking me from seeing clearly. After praying and crying out to God, it came to that my sins and shame are that veil!! How can I draw close to God with that in the way? I have to lay my sins down in front of him, in all my sadness and shame, and repent and allow him to take them from me, so that I can see him clearly and draw near to him. I can be washed clean and be restored with joy for Christ! When I pray for a clean heart, I am asking for more than forgiveness, I am asking God to allow a horrible sinner like me, to draw near to him. Wow! How blessed we are!!!
Oh, sister. Thank you for sharing this with us. What a wonderful thing He is doing!
xo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
“Return”! Such a joy!
I want to follow, turn toward and return! Help me Jesus to fix my eyes on the cross and not get distracted with the things of this world! In Jesus name, Amen!
Praying this same prayer with you
On most days, I really don’t want Jesus. I want to be good for him but I don’t want him. I don’t want him to be in charge of my cleansing because his timing is steady and consistent, making my perfection secondary to his love. I want perfection, not his love. I want to perform for him, not receive his grace. Create in me a clean heart, oh God. Come and cleanse my perfectionism and do with me your will. For your glory. Amen.
This hit home for me today. Copied every word in my notebook. Thank you for this, Alli!
Praise the Lord! Don’t you love His gentleness?
Thank you Alli, Jesus really used what you shared to touch my heart.
So what happens when your struggle is not in the repenting but in the receiving of forgiveness? As the daughter of alcoholics, I have learned to say “sorry” for a lot of things I’m not responsible for, or for silly things (sorry I didn’t get the laundry done, sorry I wasn’t able to help out with your event, sorry I can’t be more available to you as a friend…etc…sorry I’m so broken I can’t be the wife/mother/friend you need). I know this isn’t real repentance, but “sorry” comes off my lips so readily, it robs the power from true repentance. So I know God forgives me…I just can’t forgive myself. I know God loves me, I just don’t know how to love myself.
I too am a child of an alcoholic and so relate to this. Its a continued struggle. God has healed me emotionally in other areas and I never until recently have asked Him to heal me of this. He can. As we lean closer to God, My sorrys of things I'm not even responsible for become less. Daily I'm asking God to heal of me this. Praying today for you as well Andea.
Thank you Laura…I will also be praying for you.
Hi Andrea! Thanks so much for sharing this. I find myself wondering what, in those moments when you know mentally God forgives you but you can’t forgive yourself, do you imagine God expects of you? How does He view you in those moments? What would we say to you if you could hear His voice in those moments? Starting to ask myself some of those questions (at my counselor’s suggestion) have really helped me not just to know the right answer (oh God would say He loves me, etc), but to hear His voice transform from the impatient, annoyed voice I always heard growing up into one of extreme patience and gentleness. His kindness and gentleness has finally started to change how I experience Him, not just what I had always heard to be true (that He’s gracious).
Thank you Laura! I love that idea of hearing and seeing God in those moments of critique. I’ll be praying for you too.
“Time and time again” really gives me hope. I constantly struggle with becoming a better person for Jesus. I’m really trying to understand and apply the humbling of my heart to God in my daily life. Too often I fail, resorting to my old ways (habits, as you put it), and I feel like I will never change. I desperately want that change. I want to be a better person. To recognize my sin and repent of it. But that’s just not enough to me. I don’t feel like it’s enough for Him. I want to stop the bad habits for Him.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me…. Love this verse, and love the song. I’m struck by the fact that God is the one who is doing the work here – our part is to surrender to Him so that He might. I’m amazed time and time again at His mercies… How even in the midst of all of my messes, imperfections, the disasters I create for myself because of my unclean heart and my wayward spirit – when I turn to Him, He brings mercies that I don’t deserve… Over and over. I want a clean heart and a right spirit, that I can desire the things God desires. That my life can be one of thanksgiving to Him for all He has done for me, all of which I don’t deserve. A clean heart… A right spirit. That’s my prayer today!
This is what I needed to hear today! He pursues my heart daily. Thank you Jesus!
“Like the Israelites, we are creatures of habit. We give our lives to Christ only to try to take them back again.” So true! Praying that I continue to give and resist all the daily temptations to try to ‘take it back’.
I am overwhelmed daily by the word "repent." Everyday the Lord is revealing to me my sin that I try to hide. I am being stripped and humbled before the Lord. We are not even half way through this study.
I didn’t realize until I read your post, that He is doing this in me! Thank you for sharing what He is doing in your life dieting this season of Lent.
What really made me pause in the reading today was that God stopped communicating with His people (v. 6, 7, 9). It sounds scary. I remember when I was little, when my dad was angry with us, he would stop talking to us, ignored us and we just said the most necessary things in the most distant and angry tone of voice. It was a lot worse than a punishment would be – knowing we have (probably) messed up but being unable to communicate about it, being distant, not knowing how to break the silence. I can imagine the people must have felt completely abandoned and lost. Isn't it great that we can always come to Him, that no matter how much we mess up, we do not have to be like scared children coming to angry sulking father, but we can come humbly with Jesus as our righteousness! Wow, to have never realized this before!
“Return to me.” This is the central theme of the Lenten season, but even more so the central theme of my current life. I’m coming out of a season of rebellion and while I did not renounce His holiness or my need for a Savior, I did say, “Wait, I want to do life my own way for a time, and then I will turn back when everything falls apart.” And boy, did I screw things up. I lost control. Things fell apart, and all of my sins were brought to light, sins I thought were totally disconnected and that I really didn’t want to work on.
This period of reconciliation has been harder even than living in sin. Telling God to wait was not okay, is never okay, and it damaged my relationship with Him. I am struggling to remember I can’t fix myself, to believe that He will fix me, that He wants to fix me. I am stuck with head knowledge, when what I really want is heart knowledge.
I want to feel God working. I want to feel Him moving. I feel so callous to His presence right now. I want to feel the JOY of His salvation. I want to grasp the amazing depth of His love and the beauty of a Gospel of grace. I want to understand the weight of my sin, but also see myself washed white by Jesus’ blood that was spilled. I want to remember that I cannot earn God’s favor, and that when He looks at me, He sees only His Son. How amazing is our God?
@Mary: I feel like I could be speaking the words you wrote for my own self! The decision to turn inward to my own heart. I agree that the return is harder than being turned away. Because now the light of Christ is shining on all I have done and I can’t escape the reality of the consequences of my rebellion. But I am thankful that Christ is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”! Thank you Redeemer God!
"These passages we read today are Old Testament writings, a time when God directly interacted with His people through prophets and dreams and a burning bush. For one of them, whom our Lord inspired to write this Psalm, pleading to not be cast away from the Lord’s presence is a real and impactful prayer. Possession of the gift of the Holy Spirit was not a given—not a thing to be taken for granted."
God is still as alive and present today as he was in the OT! God still does speak through dreams (In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, Job 33:15), visions, prophesies, healing, and so much more, and he is even more alive and present today because the Holy Spirit came to dwell with us! It really is heaven on earth!
I am loving the Lent series so much! Yesterdays post hit home about jealousy. I really hate acknowledging my own sin, it comes as guilt and condemnation, and makes we want to run away, but God is slowly showing me, I need to acknowledge my sin, not put myself down about it, and he will do all of the work to redeem and make my heart clean! All I have to do is ACKNOWLEDGE and RETURN. He does all the rest! How great is that? I don't have to redeem myself, it's like a weight is lifted off of my shoulders. =)
“We must give ourselves back to The One who gives us LIFE.” So if you know that He is the one that can give us LIFE, isn’t it pretty awesome to think of all the other things He can do?
I too grew up on Keith Green and anytime I hear the phrase "Cast me not away…" I sing it to his melody in my mind. Absolutely love Keith Green.
Even as I read about repenting and sin I’m in the process of sinning! My heart still filled with such bitterness and resentment from people hurts! I know I need to stop playing the victim for I have hurt people as well! I’ve been imprisoned by my lack of forgiveness for far too long.. I desire the strength to repent and stop the madness! Grateful for a study that’s helping me face my need to repent and allow The Lord to fix my broken mess of a heart! Thank you SRT for pointing me to all the right places! May I not be a hearer of truth only but a doer! Help me Jesus and all these other precious women who need to put to shoe leather all that we’ve been learning! Change us we pray!
I have not walked away from God, I have stayed close, and I know he loves me, is faithful. But ladies, I need your help and prayer. I feel as though I do not really know Jesus. I am a christian, I grew up in church, but I do not, in my day to day, feel close to him. I want this to be different but I do not know how. How can I change this? How can I know and feel with my heart and not just my head?
Angela, I will absolutely be praying for you to draw near to Christ in your day to day life! I think we all feel this way, often more than once, at some point in our walks with Christ. The beautiful thing is, He doesn’t change, His love for us remains the same, no matter how near or far we feel we are from Him!
Thank you for prayer, Charli.
Hi Angela – My story is much the same and for years I felt the same. For me it was stepping out into situations that were over my head that finally pushed me to talk with God all day long and develop an intimacy with Him. Instead of calling a friend or my mom, I forced myself to only turn to God. And I asked through prayer for experiences to help me draw closer. Sometimes it has been way more than I bargained for, but I am so grateful and would not change any of the hard times. I am confident that God has doors for you to go through that will walk you straight into His arms, I too will be praying for you. Blessings.
Thank you Heidi. I appreciate your prayer and advice.
Oh can I understand this. I was a christian, but I didn't fully understand how I needed to know Jesus to really know God. It took time, but Jesus revealed Himself to me and my life has never been the same. The biggest thing I can say here is approach Him. Visualize relationship, introduction to Him, like you would a new friend. Physically talk with Him. As often as possible, even in your driving, your cleaning, your working. Before long, you'll notice that you just do it and you'll feel Christ with you. He wants to hear from you. Just talk. Prayerful for your heart in this, that you'll let go of any discomfort in meeting Him where He is for you. ~ B
Thank you. I will give that a try…talking constantly to Him.
This doesn't necessarily answer the question of how to feel Him more, but I hope it encourages you nonetheless: as I mentioned in a comment on a previous post, one of the things that has helped me is remembering that the feeling of God's presence and absence is not His presence and absence. He is there, even if you don't feel him!
I know you know this, but I hope this works as a good reminder. Know that God delights in your seeking Him out, even if you don't always feel like He's there. There is no formula for feeling Him because it's so dependent on each person's circumstances. You will likely have times when you do strongly feel Him there, but the times in which you trust God even when you don't sense Him are just as glorifying to Him. And, just as with people in your life, you still love Him even if you don't feel like you do.
One more thing: you are not alone. Every Christian has had the same thoughts and questions you have right now, so don't be afraid to talk to others in your faith community about their experiences.
I hope this helps! God bless.
You are right Ellie. I know others have felt this too. I just find it hard that I continue to be a head Christian and not a heart one. That's so sad to me.
Praying for you, Angela. God is faithful to give if you ask. I find personally, that my deep sin, the one that I keep hidden even from myself, is the very thing that keeps me distant from the Lord. Pray that He will reveal everything that is in the way of your walk with Him. He is faithful.
Thank you.
Dearest Angela, just yesterday in the Precept Bible Study I attend the video we watched led by Kay Authur made the comment…if someone is doubting whether they are truly saved…don't you try to tell them oh sure you are saved…She used these verses in Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven,but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day Lord Lord , did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your Name cast out demons and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them I never knew you Depart from Me You who practice lawlessness. This was the very same verses that shook me into the realization that although I had walked down the aisle at the age of 10 and thought I had become a child of God…my heart was now telling me at the age of 22 that I was being deceived about my salvation…God chose me and on that day I truly became a part of the family of God…although we are still sinners the blood of Jesus has washed me clean…think on these things whether or not the enemy is wanting you to doubt or God Himself is drawing you near…this is the first time I have commented on this site but felt led to share… Praying for you beloved…
Thank you Susan, for prayer and for your thoughts here.
This last weekend we were on a Lay Witness Mission, It is a time when we as a team, help to refocus a church back to this very thing. To repent of all ones sins whether bad attitudes, unseen sins of the heart, forgiveness, anger, overt or secret sins, it doesn't matter for we must recognize that we need this every day and a time of bible reading and sharing our walks so that relationship is fresh every day. Thank you for reminding all of us about
this need. Create in me a new heart O God. I am amazed at what God will do every time we go out in me and each time member as well as the church who has requested a Lay Witness Mission .
Diana, thank you for your reference to Keith Green. I immediately looked him up on You Tube & was amazed to hear the hymn you remembered. I’ve had the first two lines of that song stuck in my head since the passage was introduced on Sunday but I’d not heard the name “Keith Green” before nor did I know the rest of the hymn after the first two lines. I’ve spent part of the morning now listening to the very authentically retro Keith Green. Besides these beautiful songs based on scripture (the easiest way to memorize, too, btw) Mr. Green is a funny guy who shares his humor while honoring the Lord. Thanks for this morning’s post. ~Christina
“We give our lives to Christ only to try to take them back again.”
Why do I run to darkness when I have been brought into light?
I also love the 2 Chronicles 7! I long for my land to be healed. I crave restoration.
This song has been my favorite for a long time and I have been listening to it since the verse was first mentioned and I’m so glad someone shared it with the group. That song not only makes me feel nostalgic, as I also learned it as a young girl, but I love singing scripture. Thank you again for sharing it.
And renew I right spirit within me! I love Keith Green and that his songs are so rich with scripture and so convicting. This song is my prayer, time and time again!
I love that song too!! We used to sing it in my youth group.
And not only is there grace in the returning, but restoration and JOY- "restore unto me the JOY (emphasis mine) of my salvation. I think about those days, early in my faith, when I was so filled with the joy of the Gospel. When I return and repent and am restored, that joy, that overwhelming joy, that joy so often lost amidst my sin and my busyness and my sorrows, comes back. It is wonderful. Joy unspeakable. A gift from the Holy Spirit.
Agree! Was praying for renewed joy this morning. Thanks for sharing. :)
Does God want me?
Yes He created you and wants nothing more than you to feel His love and presence throughout your life, and eternally in Union with Him.
More than you know sweet Rebecca! You are his child! You are never so far in sin that he wouldn't want you. He loves more than anyone in this earth ever could or ever will. Praying for you to realize that love and acceptance! You are wanted always!
I just feel so lost Amanda. I am walking arond in the dark just rying to survive. Tring to be brave. I dont want some emotional high only to be shoved back in the dark. I just want someone to lead me by the hand out of the darkness and into the light where i can live and dwell. Des that make sense?
Rebecca, that’s just what The Lord does for us! This world is dark and I wouldn’t want to have to brave it without him. When we give our lives to Christ we receive the Holy Spirit and He leads us into the light. Spend time in the Word and find a bible believing church to connect. Lifting you in prayer.
Yes!! God loves you so much, that while you were still a sinner, He sent Christ to die for you. Romans 5:8. He created you, knows all about you, everything you've ever done or ever will do, but completely loves you anyway and wants to offer full forgiveness if you are willing to accept it! It's such Good News!
The sole reason our Savior died is so He could restore us into Himself. That is how deep the Father’s love is for us.
Yes!! Rebecca, He loves you more than you will ever know and He will never stop pursuing you :) James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. ” He just wants you to want Him, too!
Dear Rebecca, and I mean DEAR, He does want you and He is close to you. It seems too easy to just ask Him for His help to believe but He does answer and help. He'll even pray for us if we don't have words to express our way to Him. His love will heal you and bring you life.
He already HAS you! You are HIS!
Rebecca – I think immediately to Isaiah 43. A portion of it reads this way,
"Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,"
Rebecca HE will lead you. HE will provide His hand and push away any branch, any weed and any thing that seeks to keep you from reaching His promises for you. YOU are part of the people He chose, made especially for Him. He wants you desperately and He will tell you this. Prayeful over you Rebecca! ~ B
I read this passage while feeding my daughter, my first born. As she was pulling on my clothing, trying to draw me even nearer, I was struck by how childlike I can be in the presence of God. I am that impatient daughter forever tugging on His garments and just like me, He never turns away. He’s always drawn nearer to me providing me with the “food” I’ve needed to grow.
Thank you Lord for always being there for me even when I wasn’t there for myself. Thank you for restoring the joy of my salvation.
Am I the only one in the SRT community that cannot post the daily pictures onto Instagram? I used to be able to do this before the last SRT app update. All my settings are set on Instagram and to share pictures. Just curious.
I always just tap and save the image to my camera roll…it seems to work.
Restore to me the joy of salvation… Such powerful words thinking back on how I felt at 13 when I was saved. I remember the joy and feelings yet in this life we turn so easily. Lord create in me a clean heart and restore that joy. Please give me a joyful spirit and help me not dwell on negative things in daily life. Help me bear witness showing others through action not words. Thank you for never giving up on me. In Jesus name Amen.
Father God wash me clean of any sin that may try to drown out your goodness and work in my life. I cry out for forgiveness for past transgressions and you extend your mercy. Create in me a clean heart Father. May my heart always be thankful for the gift of your mercies that are new every morning and the Holy Spirit helping me through this life.
"Take not your Holy Spirit from me" stopped me in my tracks as well today. I flipped the passage to the Message to read it's wording and it states "or fail to breath Holiness in me". Both such physical interactions. The idea of God taking Himself from us scares the daylights out of me. Without Him I am nothing and no good to anyone. If He were to cast me out, to leave me, it would be a death sentence. I can't begin to image living in a period of time where this was a real possibility, where law had me under it's thumb, intimidating me into performance, through fear of losing my Father. And yet, I was reminded that my middle child daily lives there. Yesterday was yet another snow day here (as is today), by the end of the day we were all anxious to do something so the board games came out. My eldest and I have always enjoyed a good game together, but the other two get bent on their own rules and winning and the fun time can easily turn to stress. There was a lot of correction with one child in particular and I was exasperated. After an hour of the game, she was in tears and feeling like a terrible person and it was evident in everything she did; tossing her piece, throwing her cards, running from the table, etc… I warned her that if she continued she'd no longer be able to play until I felt she was able to manage herself better….this just caused more tears. She sat up in her chair, tears streaming saying "I'll do better Momma, I'll do better, I promise". I nodded my head and we moved on. I could see her hurt, her pain, she wore it like a mask. She drew a card that stated, "You have won the nicest person award" – – her eyes squinted, her lips pursed, her body tensed up and she tossed the card, yelling – "No. No I AM not. I NEVER will be." There it was, that seed of self doubt & personal failure. My heart broke for her….again. My eldest and I looked at each other and worked together to turn the situation around, to make her laugh and to help her to feel better, but I knew that with this one, those feelings of being "different" make her angry these days. Something she used to be proud of, she now hates. She begs God to take it away from her. She tells me her Autism is like a curse. I tell her if He did she wouldn't be her. She wouldn't be the girl I've come to know and that God made her this way for a reason, but all of my words fall, crashing on her like the ice that falls from our roof. She's hurting and my prayer is that she grows into who she is IN Christ. That He breathes holiness into her and helps her to love all that He has put in her. Not the bits and pieces that she chooses to love, but ALL of her. That like Psalm 51 says, He will put a fresh wind in her sails and bring her back from her personal exile. He will help her find her way home to Him, commute the death sentence that is human existence without Him. I know that she is more His than mine, He will breathe life into her. Law won't lord over her, love will! ~ B
Tell he God makes special people for special reasons. Her pain and suffering is not in vain. He is speaking through her to you and us just by these comments. I am praying for your family and hope that she can see the greatness in herself.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story!
Prayers for you and your daughter B! Childhood problems seem so big when you are so young and my heart breaks with you and her while I read your story because I know what it's like to be unhappy and unsatisfied that young! My mom used to cry with me and pray over me and tell me about how much Jesus loved me at the time and I will never forget it, I am sure you are doing amazing with her and she is going to do amazing things one day! I pray that she finds her identity in Him soon, In Jesus name! <3
For the first time, I noticed that hyssop is used in Psalm 51 (Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean), Exodus 12 (as a "paintbrush" to paint the blood of the lamb that was sacrificed on the door posts and lintels during the Passover) and in John 19 (to raise wine vinegar to Jesus in the moment before he died). What an amazing picture of our cleansing and having death pass over us because of Jesus, our Passover Lamb.
For all too long I saw the Bible as a self-help book, or looked for the message about me, and what I was suppose to do. I truly missed how it is God's story from start to finish and so intricately woven together. I've needed to confess that in so many ways I make myself the main character instead of letting God be in his rightful place.
Freedom from bondage shown in the Exodus, and forgiveness from our most blatant sins as seen in David's forgiveness after committing adultery and murder all pulled together for everyone in the death of Jesus on the cross. Wow!
I love this! I love seeing how different portions of scripture and prophesies tie together, and I had never noticed this, so thank you for pointing it out. And seeing the Bible as "God's story" rather than a "self-help book" with me as "the main character" is a sobering thought. Thank you!
I love what you said, Allison! Thanks for sharing!
So great! The bible as a self-help/reference book has been a topic for the last week for a friend & I. She said these exact words. It changes when God opens our eyes and we see the whole picture and the veil is lifted. Love how you explained it. This beautiful moment is just a piece of His many mysteries. Praise The Lord!! Thank you for your post!!!
Lord, make my spirit right!
It was really hard to read the Lamentations passage. Any time I read about innocent ones suffering for someone else’s sins I really, deeply, hate it.
My comfort in reading today’s passage is in knowing that Jesus fully drank the cup of His Father’s wrath, so that we never ever have to face the destruction talked about in Lamentations although we obviously still live in a broken world and suffer. Jesus has taken all if our punishment for every last one of our sins! Praise Him!
Thank you for bringing the passage up! I was thinking the exact same thing. So much of scripture is really hard to swallow often times and frankly confusing. The author goes on in Lam 3 to talk about God's faithfulness though, which I found thought- provoking and challenging. So if you haven't made it that far, I definitely recommend reading and chewing on the next chapter too.
That passage in Lamentations 3:22 and following definitely is a beacon of hope in the whole book as well as the Bible. Thanks Kburge!
My God is full of mercy and grace. Time and time again I have, "handed Him my ruins and received His grace". Thank you God for calling me… over and over until I turned and received your call… Thank you for equipping me all those years ago to turn and receive your call. Thank you for never… not once… in all the years you've walked with me… ignoring my plea for more mercy… for grace yet one more time! Keep me on your path, Lord, I pray… The path that you have ordained for me. Lord, thank you that you only allow me to wonder as far as it takes for my proud heart to once again realize it's need for your mercy and grace! Thank you for always bringing me back to your path, to your leading… You are a faithful God and I will follow you.
Tina! Thank you for yor beautiful word picture! God bless you sweet sister.
Thank you for these words. Thank you for the reminder about the Holy Spirit being a gift, not a given. How easily I take him for granted. Daily. I need to start praying thankfulness for this gift.
The God of all mercy and all holiness draws His repentant children near and does not cast them away—this is the good news of the Gospel….
Praising God so much for that Good News of the Gospel….such a life changer, a news so needed, a hope so called for…
I spent yesterday…I can only say..rebelling…my beautiful and best friend, Missy my dog, had an operation to remove a tumour…I chose for this to happen, so she would have a quality of life….she has a scar, from top boobie to bottom boobie…and I hurt to see the choice I made for her…as I listened to her whimpering, looking at me with those eyes I have come to trust and love….I cried, what had I done…I should have left her as she was…she wouldn't be hurting….Truth is.. I couldn't have….I could no more leave a hurt bird or an injured frog(and I am not keen on them), why would I leave my friend, my sidekick…to suffer…I wouldn't…I was so totally going to write something else, and yet…But God…???? These words are going through my head right now…this is how God felt, ….He saw our 'tumour', our sin, He saw the carnage and wreckage it would leave in its path, consuming everything around it, until finally we are destroyed to the point of no return…God loved the people of Israel, ….He loves us…He always has….no matter what sin, no matter how deep rooted the 'disease'( sin)…….He always wanted to save…He loved/ loves too too much to watch, whilst there was pain and anguish, mourning and lamentations, no relationship with Him and ones ….He loved…God, did not want to take His presence from us, or cast us away…….He holds us too close to his heart to do that…oh how He loves us…but we DO need to reconcile ourselves to Him, and we DO need to repent, asking with 'hand on heart', Godly grief, for forgiveness….'Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Do not cast me from your presence, or take away your Holy Spirit from me..Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me…'
Approaching your throne of Grace and forgiveness this day, Lord God, repenting of 'my rebellion' and all sin connected to that…I'm sorry Lord..I'm sorry…I pray Lord God, that you will hear my prayer, forgive me, and heal this confused and sorrowful heart, as I humble myself, seek Your face, and turn from my sinful ways,…Thank you Lord God that you are faithful…Thank you…Amen…
Praying our Faithful and Loving God turn His face to shine, shine shine on you…Love Tina xxx
Amen!!!
He saw our tumor, our sin" – – I love your words Tina! Prayerful for your sweet Missy, that her road to recovery be swift and without incident. ~ B
Prayers for healing for Sweet Missy…..your words spoke to me…."our tumor"…..
Excellent analogy, Tina!
Your story reminds me that God wounds us to heal us. It is never easy. But He is our Physician, and He knows that wherever He causes us pain that He will bring something greater. I love that. Thank you for sharing!
Scary stuff, my question is about the devotion , I’m confused when she says God not able to be around sin? Since he’s everywhere, so even currently and previously around sin? Anybody helping I greatly appreciate it!
Bryan, it’s not that God cannot “be around” sin, it’s that He cannot have fellowship with the unredeemed sinner. Jesus walked the world and sat with sinners and drunks and whores so that he could show his love for all of us–but those sinners were ultimately given the same choice we all are–if we choose to reject His redemption, we reject the fellowship and relationship with God that comes with the covering of our sin. I can stand in a room full of criminals, but my being there doesn’t make me one of them. In a similar way God is ever-present, ever willing that the sinner repent and run to Him, but without the work of Christ of the cross there can never be a relationship between his light and our darkness. In the same way we as believers are called to live in the world but not have close ties with it, because light and dark can never really coexist. Hope this helps…having a hard time ordering my thoughts this morning. -Jenn
AMEN!!!
I like that very clear and helpful to me. Thank you very much
Because of Gods holiness…He cannot tolerate sin. Meaning we need to seek repentance to be in relationship with Him. He will convict your heart to turn from sin but if you remain in sin the Holy Spirit is quenched and cannot commune with you as when your heart is repentant. Just because you sin one time does not mean He leaves you or takes the Holy Spirit from you. It's kinda like when you are in an argument with someone…you don't communicate and it feels awkward. But when you both apologize and reconcile things are back in communion again. Same with us and God……make sense? Hard to explain through comments. Your pastor can probably answer better than I. Hope that helps a little. :)
Also Revelations 1 talks about how we are partners with the tribulation, kingdom, and patient endurance that is in Jesus Christ. While on earth Jesus patiently endured our sin, never condemning anyone, but always calling us to repentance. God patiently endures our sin as well, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I think his wrath poured out is meant as a discipline, calling us to repentance…He will never fully pour out his wrath over the ways that humanity as abused each other, the ways that we are selfish, until the very end. Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath for all who put our trust in Him!!!
Also He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. But he cannot countenance sin. That is why he turned his back on His beloved son in whom He was well pleased when the sins of the world were placed on Jesus as He Hung on the cross.
If we are His "no man can pluck us from His arms".
Readily confess our sins so our relationship with the Lord does not languish. Keep a very short account so things don't get out of hand
I’m too scared of God to give up trying to control my life. I know I can’t really control it, but I like to pretend I can, I like to feel like I can, maybe. What if I give that up and God doesn’t do what I want or even need him to do? What if the “worse before it gets better” is too much to cope with? My life is in ruins already, my debts are eating me alive, my husband is so distant spiritually, I have no Christian friends, I have no church home… What if all this gets even worse? What if I decide to trust God and he betrays me and I can’t handle it? I am so scared of God and I don’t know what to do next.
He loves you, Lauren and betrayal is not in His nature. Do the next right thing and His blessing WILL follow your obedience in faith. Pray, find a Bible-teaching church to visit and go. And know He loves you.
Lauren, it sounds like you are in the perfect place to receive Christ. :) he loves to come into broken, impossible situations and turn them around. I will say, the bible doesn’t promise easy times all of the time, but what it does promise is peace, fulfillment, full life. If you want more than what you’re living, then turn it over to him. If you want more than what you’re feeling, turn it over to him. I know you’re scared, I understand. There are a lot of unknowns. BUT I also believe that on the other side of fear, lies real life. Bigger than you and I. Real, fulfilling, full of joy, peace, life.
Also, think of God as a father. I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with your dad, but mine is estranged. So thinking of God this way initially was hard. But, every day, God drew Himself closer and closer to me, closer to my heart. I saw him as a father, myself as a daughter, and realized that all he wanted from me was a relationship. And baby steps are okay.
So just take it one step at a time. Pray to ask God to reveal himself to you. Ask Him to show you what living for Him could be like. Ask him to show you how much he loves you. He will. It will blow your mind :)
If you want to chat/have someone to pray with you ever, let me know! My email is: [email protected]
AMEN!!!!
Deuteronomy 31:8 says “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Thank you for your honesty! Be encouraged to know that if we believe what the bible says, he tells us that he will never leave us. He created us to worship him and to walk with us in our difficult lives. He created you specifically to fulfill his purpose and bring glory to his kingdom, and his promises are true during the dark times just as much as they are during the good times! Dig into his word and don’t give up!
Yes yes yes! Amen!
Dearest Lauren, God loves you…He loves you…FULL STOP….No ifs or buts, that's it…How can you fear someone who loves, loves, loves you…even when you/ we do the most awful of things….Do not be afraid….these words are spoken to various characters in the bible….and over us, I pray it over you right now… Do NOT be afraid….God loves you…I pray you take this information, make it head and heart knowledge..and believe…Our God is a good God..hold out your hand to Him and watch him take yours in love and joy….and healing and hope…
Praying for you Lauren…God is with you…x
God loves every person on this earth. He will never betray you. He may test you and bring trials before you, but only to refine you, draw you close to Him, and make you the person He created you to be. Like precious metals must be refined through fire, we too must sometimes go through the "fire" so that we can come out better. When hard times come, cling to this promise from James:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
YES!!!!
Lauren, I've been exactly where you are. A few years ago I heard God's voice tell me, " it's going to get worse before it gets better." It is frightening to hear that and satan can fill your mind with many "what if scenarios." There were some very rough days but through it all God was faithful!! You see, our son became addicted to drugs and alcohol and his life ( and ours by default ) became a chaotic mess. Just the kind of life the Father longs to redeem. For years I tried everything to "fix" the situation, to no avail. All along the way, God kept asking, " do you TRUST me enough to put your son totally in my hands?" As the other responders have shared, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and He promises to lead you through the deep waters. Ask Him to show you the verses in the Bible that are specifically for you, His promises to you during this time. When you ask, He is faithful to respond in love and with the truth of His Word! It will be a lifeline, grab on tight and do not let go! Memorize the verses He shows you and say them out loud when you're feeling discouraged. My experience has been that during those times God never ( not once! ) left me in that place of hopelessness! Our son came to us last week and told us he wants a new life!! He was ready to go away and get the help he needed to change his life!!! We are now at the " getting better " part God had promised us!! When we put our trust in Him, God is faithful to provide!! All glory to God!!
AMEN!!!
BUT what if…..it gets better? I'm feeling for you this morning. First have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? He is the only way and brings peace even in circumstances you describe. If not please come to Him and ask Him to be your Lord over everything. I promise it will be the best decision ever! Second if you have , I'm not going to talk you into God not being scary or giving up your control. But would you just start reading AND mindfully believing His Word. I'm am not trying to condemn or be rude…but I am being blunt. The more you knowmHis character the more you will relinquish control. I am a control fried. I love order and hate chaos. But I have come to KNOw my God and KNOW I cannot do it alone. Then relinquishing control was so much easier. I heard this before …imagine looking through a hole in a fence and wTching a ball game. Sure, you can see one maybe two plays and things may look horrid or wonderful. Well, God is in the VIP and can see the whole game and can direct better because he sees it all. He knows who's up to bat next and who fell but where you just saw them fall….He saw them get the ball to next player. Get the picture?! I grew up in a very legalistic church and I was afraid of God too, but I promise if you dive into His word and claim His promises you'll experience life anew. One bible study that helped was Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I'd love to help you and be your friend! [email protected]. Don't give up on God! He is good and loves you! He wants control so He can deliver you girl! Praying for you this morning :)
I wrestle with giving up control too….every single day. Some days I feel like I am better at taking my hands off things and others (usually the days I get over whelmed – go figure!) I seem to have a tight grip of this "sense" of control. It is the hardest thing for me to change and I pray daily for the Spirit's help…remembering that God loves and cares about my boys, me, my husband….my life…even more than me. More than I could ever imagine. He has a plan….one I may or may not see, but know is good. I struggle with remembering this sometimes…..I have to consciously say the words….YOU are in control Lord. Not me. …..help me Father…..
I have often fought the same fear. God knows!!!
God knows our fears and He longs to be our Comfort. He knows how we long to cling to the present, the known but He knows that yoke is unbearable and longs to give us rest (matt 11:28). He knows that we are ashamed of our weakness, our sin-but too proud to confess that our best will never be enough and He longs to take that sin (and all our best efforts which still are described as filthy rags) AND GIVE U GRACE!!! His way will always be better than our way! I am praying for us today – that we will stop hiding our brokenness from Him but that we hold up all that is broken in our dirty, grubby sin-stained hands and let God make something beautiful of our lives.
The fear of the Lord involves awe, reverence, love, and trust in God. It accompanies knowledge, humility, obedience and blessing. The “scared” fear you are describing seems more like Satan trying to blind you and keep you from knowing real freedom and joy in Christ as your Lord! Just as Eve was deceived by Satan in the garden. Satan comes very sneakily by twisting the truth about Gods love and grace. Eve was deceived into thinking that God was holding out the best in the garden from her and Adam. When they fell into Satan’s trap they were immediately aware of their sin and that’s when guilt and shame set in which led her and Adam to try to hide from their own consequences. Unfortunately, sin does come with consequence and a lot of the fear you are describing may be more fear of consequence than wrath of God. The best armor for this battle is the sword of truth which is Gods Word. The truth is He knit you in your mothers womb. He loves you so much He gave His Son for you. He has a plan to prosper you and not harm you, while satan comes to destroy you. He is a loving and just God. He is patient and persistent and grace-giving and the list is forever love of how great and loving our Father is! Go to His Word and go to battle with Truth. He loves you so and there’s no better time than now to lay your battered, bruised self at His feet and let Him take reign! You WONT regret it! I am committing to a day of prayer for you and your family today. You are loved
Lauren, how amazing that God would prompt your heart to post such an honest cry. And then in His faithfulness to you, prompt all these women to encourage you, to love you, to pray for you. This is the will of a sovereign and good God. And he loves you. We cannot separate the attributes of God, and accept the ones we believe and reject the others. I hear you saying, God is sovereign, but is God good? I fear God in this same way. What if things do get worse? Does God stop being God? Does He stop being good? The goodness of God is that when we suffer he is with us. Just like the Israelites, you find yourself fleeing the Egyptians, wandering the wilderness, and facing an impassible sea. I hear you crying out just like them, “Why did you save me, just to bring me out here to die”? God redeemed the Israelites to be their God, and that they would be His children. God has redeemed for this same reason. And we know that God stayed with them. He pillar fire at night, to light their way, a cloud in the day. God is with you, no matter what you are facing, He will not leave you or forsake you. And it maybe more than you can handle, but it is never more than God can handle. Be encouraged that you belong to a good and sovereign God, that He loves you, and that He has redeemed you, and continues to redeem you. All because of His great love for you.
Lauren, it is brave to share your struggles in this forum. I went looking for a verse about God’s promise to not tempt us beyond what we are capable of resisting but found, instead, Galatians 6:2 encouraging believers to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I hope can see from the responses to your post & feel from the women (& maybe men too) offering prayers on your behalf, the sharing of your burdens through this virtual community. I pray you will find that same “sharing of the load” in a community of believers around you soon.
Lauren, since I first read your comment this morning, it's stuck with me. I've been prayerful over you and there is nothing more that I can add that hasn't already been said, but I will say…. I get it. You are right, it IS scary. So incredibly scary. You have every reason to be fearful and to worry and to think that it's possible that it can only get worse. And truth be told, earthly speaking, it can. I'm not gonna lie to you. When we are in really rough seasons it's so hard to imagine that worse will bring anything better with it, but what I know to also be truth is that in order to get better, the bad needs to go away. Completely. It needs to be annihilated. When a florist makes an arrangement they lay out every flower and and start with an empty vase. One by one they build, moving each flower around until it is in the right place and complements the one next to it. But they can't begin if the vase is already filled. What God will do for you here is the same. He will take all of the bad, dust you off and make everything new and more beautiful. What you don't see now is the whole masterpiece, your only in a small corner of the frame and let me tell you, what He will do with it will be marvelous. Once, when I wouldn't let something go, I had a vision…..I was a small girl on my family steps. Sitting in a beautiful little dress crying with something in my hands. Holding it dearly and tightly. Not exposing an inch of it. God knelt down in front of me, put His hand over mine, smiled and slowly peeled away my fingers. He told me that I needed to give it to Him. That I could let it go, give it up. I know it was broken, I was broken …. only He could fix it. Lauren, He can do the same for you. I will be prayerful over you and all these horrible anxieties. I will be prayerful over your relationship and your debts….that God will glimpse you a large piece of His masterpiece, that as He peels into the layers, you will feel the greatest sense of peace because He will be standing with you, holding you as you go. You will not be even remotely alone and He will never leave you. He desires great things for you and what you have now isn't that. Love for you sister! ~ B
Hi Lauren, I went through a season when I, too, was terrified of what God's will for me might be. I knew He loved me, and wanted only the best for me, but the only options I could see for my life were so big and scary, I coudn't bring myself to truly give my situation over to Him and let go. I couldn't even pray, my fear was so great! I read somewhere that even the simplest prayers were heard by God, so I began uttering two 1-word prayers each day… "Please" in the morning, and "Thank you" when I got into bed at night. I can't tell you how long I did this… but at some point I realized my fears were gone, and I was actually praying again. And in His time, I was given the perfect directions for my life. My prayer for you today is that you be released from your fears, so you can hear His voice, and direction.
I can relate, Lauren. I have many dead places in my own life. When I’ve tried to control or fix them – take what I thought were good steps – I only hurt myself leading to more confusion. When I didn’t feel I could handle another heartache over my ‘good’ actions and thought I could no longer hear God… I felt Him asking, “Can you accept the good with the bad?” And then more silence.
I was frustrated with God. But no matter how hard I fought it, I couldn’t help but know – even if just the slightest bit – that He is the way, the truth, and the life even when everything around me was trying to lure me away or convince me otherwise. He gives us strength and boldness in spite of ourselves. And the fact that you reach out to this community takes courage. He is working. Even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Regarding the good and the bad… Grace. That is what I always come back to each time I forget and try to go it alone. His grace is sufficient. And He is patient.
Surrender is hard and uncomfortable. But it’s the only thing that can bring us peace and hope. Surrender your heart. Even if it’s imperfect and rambling. Talk to Him, cry to Him, get real and honest with Him about what’s on your heart. Give it all to Him and keep giving it all to Him – the good, bad, and ugly. He will not be surprised. He knows it all anyways.
But keep living. Walk in your circumstances but know He is working. Don’t try to assume you know how He is working or will work. He works in our life, but it’s in His time, never before and in His ways, which are far better than ours.
Praying you find Him in the midst of your pain and hurt and sorrow. That He wraps you up in His unconditional love and peace.
Oh Lauren. This is me too. It’s as if you are reading my heart. So scared of God. I want to be in control. If I mess up and my life falls apart … at least I only have myself to blame for it. To live with the consequences of my own choices. But honestly, life stinks sometimes!! Every time I think it can’t get worse, it does! Sometimes I feel such a strong pull to run to God! But then I just can’t. And don’t. And not even sure I want to!
Lauren, I have been in that place. Most of us have. Turn to the Word of God. Let is saturate your heart and mind. Dwell on nothing, but His word and His love for you, which says:
"God will never leave you nor forsake you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand"
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope an a future. Then
you will call upon me and come and pray to me. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity." Jer 29:11-14
If you give satan a foothold, he will enter and wreak havoc. Turn to God. Be in His word. Start a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all of the blessings and positive things in your life. Do not dwell on the negative. Find a trusted friend or family member to talk to that will encourage you in your walk and point you to God.
You are NOT alone! You are loved! Do not give up! God will carry you through this season, if you only let Him.
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strengths. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
Trust God, put your faith in Him. Fear comes from satan, not God. Let go and let Him work in your life. I am praying that you turn to God.
Dear Lauren
I hear the anguish in your questions. They are so real. But God is no liar He promises are real and always faithful is the Lord.
He asks us to draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. He promises that if we call to Him He will show us great and mighty things that we never dreamed of, Jeremiah 33:3.
Take the step of trusting. Things seem bad I believe with the Lord He will lead you in the right path.
Pray for your husband that the Lord will meet him where he is at this moment.
Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you and lastly he told us that the cattle on a thousand hills are his so we know His wealth is vast and as he has promised to supply all our needs you can bet He will.
All He asks is 5hat you trust Him.
You !at email me if you would like someone to pray with you. [email protected].
I will start praying for you today.
Be blessed
Polly
Such an amazing blog entry today. This is my first Lenten season following scripture so closely, and it continues to move me to tears. God pursues our hearts time and time again – how blessed are we to receive His love and faithfulness each time?
CBear, mine too & you said it. What a blessing indeed.
Oh, I love this! You're right, we are so blessed! Hugs to you.
xoxo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth