Letting Go

Letting go is never easy to do.  Especially when it comes to people you love.  I remember the week we took my younger brother away to college.  The drive from Kentucky to Florida in a small Class C RV seemed so incredibly long, yet not quite long enough.  I soaked up every second of the drive down, praying the whole time.  I knew in my heart life would never be the same for us.  Man I was right!

My brother and I have always been incredibly close.  Even though he is 6 years younger than me, and annoyed the fire out of me when I was a teenager, we always managed to stay close.  Through boyfriends and girlfriends, weddings and babies, we have always been there for each other.  God has given us a bond that I know will never be broken.  We may annoy each other or disagree with how the other deals with a certain situation, but the that does not change how we feel about each other.  I can look him in the eye and tell him I think he is an idiot, but love him anyway, and he knows that I mean both statements with all my heart.  I can say the same for him.

When he moved away to college I just knew in my heart that we would never live in the same state again.  This was very difficult on me, as well as my parents.   Then, approximately four years ago, I was blessed to have my brother and sister-in-love move from Florida to Kentucky.  I could not have been more surprised or excited.  During the past 4 years I have been blessed to experience numerous camping trips, cook outs, family reunions, four wheeling adventures in the “real mountains”, ventures in jewelry making, plotting family vacations, the pregnancy and birth of my youngest niece, discussions about parenthood, and life in general.  Yes, I can say without a doubt that I have been blessed!

Now the time has come for me to let go, again.  My heart aches every time I think about our last good-byes, the vision of them driving away, not seeing my niece grow up,  my girls not being able to play with their cousin, my parents not seeing their youngest granddaughter almost daily as they have for the past 3 years, my dad watching his best friend move away and my mom worrying about how well they will do in Texas.  After a few of these pity parties God really spoke to my heart.  He reminded me how blessed I have been to be a part of their lives for this long, and that now He is moving them to Texas so that my sister-in-love’s family can enjoy those same blessings.  I now imagine the look on her parents’ faces and the joy in their hearts as they have their baby girl, son-in-law and only granddaughter home.  I think about how they have had to go through the first three years of their granddaughter’s life with only one or two visits a year, and now they get to see her almost daily.  I think about how my sister-in-love went through her entire pregnancy so far away from her mom and now she gets to spend at least the next few years living close to her mom as she raises her daughter.  When I think of them moving closer to her family, I can now smile.  Yes, I will cry when they leave, but I am now able to let go with a content and happy heart.   

My only regrets are not spending more time with them, and not allowing myself to truly love my sister-in-love with all my heart.  This is difficult as I am guarded with my heart.  I am also older than she is, and I think at times that has been a bit of a barrier between us.  It is too late to change the past, and I am not a person that believes in living in regret.  So, I will make the most of the next two weeks, spending as much quality time as possible with them and reliving memories made over the past 3 years.  I will tell them what they mean to me and how they have blessed me through the years.  And, when they are settled in their new home, I will keep in close contact.  I know this is not a permanent good-bye, and that the Lord could surprise me again one day.  Until then, I trust Him to take care of my brother, sister-in-love and sweet niece, and … I will let go….

Reflections

Once again I want to spend a few minutes celebrating and praising the Lord for the blessings He has given me this past week.  He never ceases to amaze me!

• Monday night our washer flat out died on us.  CPR was not going to bring her back.  So, off to buy a new one.  PTL the one we picked out was on sale and we were not charged for hauling away the old one, or for delivery! 

• My mother not only offered to let us use her washer and dryer until our new washer was delivered, she actually did my laundry while my husband and I were at work!!!!  I cannot begin to tell you what a relief that was!  Especially since we had so many clothes left to wash from camping.

• I received word that my brother lost his job, news he had been expecting.  Not only that, but he and my sister-in-love and precious niece are moving to Texas to be close to her family.  How is this a blessing?  While asking God to give them wisdom in their decision and guide them as the move forward, I heard the Lord tell me that He has this entire situation under control.  Even if I disagree with some of the decisions they are making, it is not my business and I have to trust the Lord and know that He has this in His hands.  I am now excited about the future the Lord has in store for them, knowing that this is just a new chapter in their lives.  Even though I don’t like the fact that this chapter is not going to be as close to me as I would prefer, I am learning that letting go is good for all parties involved.

• The Lord gave me supernatural strength this week to accomplish the many tasks I had on my “to do” list. 

• I broke down and bought a new swim suit for summer.  This is a big deal because it was a size larger.  Having lost 85 pounds and 6 dress sizes, it killed my soul to come face to face with the fact that I have gained 20 pounds back , as well as a dress size.  As I got home and deal with the bitterness inside, God reminded me that I am more than a dress size!  I am HIS dwelling place.  And, according to Psalm 84:1, His dwelling place is lovely!  Even when I don’t “feel” lovely, I am. 

• I concluded the Insecurity study with my Wednesday night study group.  We feasted on salad, bacon lasagna and garlic bread.  We celebrated the victories the Lord had given us during this study and discussed the future plans the Lord has in store for us.  I have been so blessed by these ladies, more than they know!

• My husband went out on a limb and purchased new sheets and pillows for our bed.  Now, as most women are, I am super picky about this sort of thing.  To my surprise (simply because this is WAY out of character for him), the sheets match the bedroom perfectly, and the new pillows are amazing!  He did such a great job!  I am so grateful!

• This weekend we went camping with my parents, brother and his family.  This was by far the best camping trip we have taken as a family.  Everyone was laid back and relaxed.  I kept reminding myself that this would be the last time we would all camp at Barren together, so I needed to soak in every second.  God allowed me to do just that!  (I feel a new post coming!)

• I was blessed to listen to my husband ask my dad to teach him how to bass fish and offer to spend more time with him, particularly fishing.  Now, if you know my husband, you know this is WAY out of character for him!  The fishing part, not hanging with my dad.  The conversation was an answer to prayer!

• I was able to spend some down time with Rich camping and again when we came home.  It is so nice just to hang out with my soul mate.  He is such an awesome man and a blessing to me.

I have to tell you that reflecting every week like this has really made my heart soar.  I am learning to be more and more grateful for the big and small things in my life.  I pray that you are challenged to reflect on what the Lord has done for you this week. 

Delayed Reflections from a Grateful Heart...

Whew… where do I start?  This will be my third attempt to write my Sunday Shabbat blog.  I actually wrote it Sunday night, only to have my computer crash right before I hit the save button.  I was not amused and decided it would be best if I just went to bed, which I did.  Last night I had decided I would sit down and re-write my blog before bed, but my evening went from a trip to the grocery, dinner, baths, bedtime, work out and writing to a trip to the grocery, cooking dinner and helping my husband fix the washer at the same time, cleaning up the oil spill inside the washer, getting the girls in bed, finding a new washer, buying a new washer, sorting laundry to take to my mother’s to finish (THANK YOU MOM), and crashing in bed.  Needless to say, I am a tad bit worn out, but excited to reflect again on the Lord’s blessing and provisions last week!  Let me just say… GOD IS GOOD!!!!

* I had a bittersweet Sunday School class as my teacher and friend taught his last lesson to the class.  I have learned so much under him and his wife.  I hate to see them leave the class, but I am excited to see God bless them in the new season in their lives.  God has big things in store for them, and I believe things are already falling in place.

* After church I was able to celebrate with my dearest friend the fact that her 8 year old daughter wants to do a mother/daughter bible study on the book of Esther!  Her daughter is so intent on this study that she already invited some of her friends, and made a flyer to give out!!!!  I feel deep in my heart that there is a special anointing on that girl!  I cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do through her!!!!

* I was blessed to be able to rejoice with a friend over her 40 pound weight loss, as well as her new dress size.  She looks and feels fabulous!  I am incredibly proud of her!

* I was given the gift of paid admission to the dotMOM conference in Birmingham, Alabama this September.  The story behind this is amazing, so I want to share.  A friend of mine went to the Deeper Still conference with me last weekend.  During Deeper Still we learned about the dotMOM conference in September.  I desperately wanted to go, but knowing that my husband and I are on a budget with a goal, I decided not to think about going becuase I knew this trip would throw us off budget.  So, I told my husband I would pray about it and if I am supposed to go, God would provide.  Now, no one knew about this conversation between my husband and I.  Monday morning, my friend met me in my office with her mischievous grin and told me that God had woken her up early that morning and put it on her heart that I needed to go to the conference.  She discussed it with her husband and he told her to buy my ticket.  PTL!  You can imagine the tears… well, you can if you are as emotional as I am!  All glory to God, my provider!!!!!

* Not only did my friend bless me with paid admission to dotMOM, she also confirmed something the Lord has spoken to me in my prayer time that morning.  The words she spoke to me were almost verbatim what the Lord had told me that morning.  Just the confirmation I needed.  I am so grateful for a dear friend that is still before the Lord, hears His voice and is obedient!  I pray she will be blessed for her obedience!

* We received word from my youngest daughter’s general surgeon that she is healing amazingly from her surgery in May!  He wants to do a follow-up in 6 months, but other than that she is doing fantastic!  Now all we need is for the neurosurgeon to give us the same "all clear" and we are free. 

* I was blessed to spend some sweet fellowship with two ladies in our Wednesday night study on Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity.  I have learned more in the discussions than I have in portions of the book.  I love hearing the wisdom of the older women and the new zeal from the younger.

* I was able to celebrate that fact that the Lord has a huge grasp on my cousin’s heart and He is getting ready to do amazing things in her life!  Praying for her wisdom and ability to stay focused.

* I was able to celebrate with a dear friend confirmation from our Women’s Ministry Leader about a Girls’ Ministry the Lord has put on her heart.  Can’t wait to see how the Lord will lead and bless that ministry!

* I had a heart felt conversation with my Weight Watchers leader about my health and need to cut back on processed foods.  I know I need to do this, but now I have better motivation!  I am blessed that my leader cares and that she took the time to figure out what she thinks is going on with me.

* Our family spent the weekend camping with some good friends and their two daughters.  In spite of the numerous storms and need to make 8 people fit in a pop-up camper that sleeps 6, we had an amazing time!  I actually laughed so hard my side hurt, which is something I have not experienced in a while.

* I was able to talk to my dad and father-in-law on Father’s Day, wishing them a happy day.  Celebrations are set for later this week and I cannot wait!!!! 

* The girls and I were able to clean up the pop-up and take care of unpacking from the camping trip while my husband nursed an excruciating tension migraine.  I felt so bad for him.  When he woke later in the day, feeling human again, the girls and I took him out to dinner to celebrate him.  He is such a blessing!  He is truly an amazing man.  He had to make some tough decisions lately, sacrificing a passion of his in order to make sure he was giving enough to his family.  This means more to me that I could ever put in words.  I fell in love with him even more the day he made that decision.  Thank you, Lord, for the love of my life! 

It was a very good week.  I deserve nothing, yet He continues to give.  I am so grateful for the love of my Savior and the many blessing He gives me! 

Please, share some of the ways the Lord has blessed you in the past week.  I would love to hear them and celebrate with you!

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

God has brought this verse to me several times over the past few weeks, and I have shared it with you before.  I have really been struggling with being able to comprehend just how much I am loved by my Heavenly Father.  I know the passages, I know the songs, I know in my head that He loves me.  However, there is a disconnect between my heart and my head that has severely impaired my ability to accept this love.  I know that I am not alone.  I find comfort in this, but at the same time, am saddened by it.  Sad because there are so many women out there that long to be loved and cherished.  They just need to know and feel that they are special and important to someone, that they are loved with an everlasting love. Because of this, my heart echoes Paul’s prayer.

This past weekend at Deeper Still the Lord address my doubts and fears.  He spoke loud and clear to my heart.  As I sat and listened to Kay Arthur talk about how much God loves me, every question, doubt and fear floated to the surface.  I am unworthy of God’s love.  I have not done enough to earn God’s love.  I keep messing things up and getting in the way of what God wants to do in my life.  How could anyone love me “that much”?  As I thought about each of my hang-ups the Holy Spirit showed me that they are just that, MY hang-ups! I get so caught up in how poorly I am doing that my pity party drowns out the voice of God trying to speak to my heart.  Ever been there? 

I am not sure if God just got tired of my hard head and decided to speak a bit louder, or if he was tired of competing with my pity parties, but Friday night, for the first time ever, my head and my heart finally connected.  I will never fully understand God’s love for me, but I was able to accept it, to cherish it, to stand with my arms wide open and feel the Lord lavish me in His love.  I now know without a shadow of a doubt that regardless of anything I say or do, God’s love for me is constant, steady, firm, unwavering, unconditional, everlasting.  It gives peace, hope, joy and contentment.  My heart is so full I feel as though it may burst… my cup runneth over!  And as it runs over, my prayer is that you will get at least a little splash!

I want more than anything for you to know how much you are loved.  No matter what you have done in your past, where you are now, what you think of yourself, or where society has placed you, YOU ARE LOVED.  And this love is more than mere human love.  This love is divine and unconditional.  This love caused God to sacrifice the life of His one and only Son simply because He wants to spend eternity with you.  Let that soak in for just a moment….

God created our hearts with a spiritual void, an empty space that can only be filled with His love.  We can try to fill it with many things of this world, but all of those things will wither away, leaving our hearts empty once again, desperate for love.  We find ourselves back at the start, looking for anything to fill that void again.  This is a vicious and destructive cycle that must be stopped.  But, until we are willing to accept the one thing that we need and stop looking to this world to fill our spiritual void, the cycle will never stop.  This is where Christ steps in.  Paul tells us in Romans that while we were still sinners, enemies of God, looking for something to fill that void in our hearts, Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice to show us just how much we are loved.  Christ gave his very life, his last breath, to bring us back to God and give us the hope of living with him eternally.  This is the only love that will ever fill that void.  And until we are able to fully accept this love, we will never have the peace the Lord intends for us to have.

The amazing thing about God’s grace is that He gives us what we don’t deserve, His love.  None of us deserve this gift.  If we did, then the Christ’s sacrifice would be pointless and Christ’s death meaningless.  Each of us must come to the place in our lives where we stand face to face with Jesus and decide whether or not we are going to accept his grace, his love.  This is the most important decision we will ever make.  I pray, the same as Paul, that you will be filled with strength and wisdom and be able to comprehend this love.  Even more than that, I pray that you are able to accept His love.  Allow God to lavish you in His love, filling you to overflowing.

I don’t know where you are in life right now.  I don’t know your struggles or victories, your heartache or joy, your pain or delight.  I don’t know if you are  standing on His promises, or if you are face down in the valley of despair.  I do know this, no matter where you are, HE IS THERE WITH YOU!  He knows exactly where you are, what you are going through, and what He has planned for your future.  And let me reassure you, what He has planned for your future is far better than anything you can think or imagine! 

Reflections

At Deeper Still Priscilla Shirer challenged the ladies at the conference to “shabbat”, to rest and reflect.  Shabbat is where we get Sabbath, and the command from God to rest.  But, Shabbat is much more than merely resting physically.  We are also commanded to rest spiritually and allow God to renew us.  Looking back at the Israelites, as they were given the gift of manna in the dessert, God told them they were to collect the manna for six day, on the sixth day collection double so they could rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath.  When they were obedient and rested, God not only renewed them physically, but He reminded them of how He had provided for them in the past and prepared them for the blessings He would give to them in the future.  When they were disobedient, God got their attention by allowing the manna to spoil and their bodies not get the rest they needed.  

Ever been there?  Even been so tired and worn down from doing so much that your body just shut down and you were not able to go one step further?  Have you ever worked yourself sick, literally, yet could not figure out why you were sick?  Have you ever worked so hard at something, giving it everything you have only to watch it flop and you feel like a failure?  Could it be that you were not resting and allowing God to renew and provide for you?  I am sure we have all been there!  So, how do we make sure we don’t go back and repeat the same disobedience?  We “shabbat”!  We have to make it a point to rest no less than weekly, but even daily, to reflect on what the Lord has done and allow Him to renew us. 

So, as I challenge each of you to “shabbat” (yes, this is my new favorite word), I am going to do the same.  I have rearranged my Sunday schedule to make sure I have time for a nap with my girls, time to reflect on God’s goodness the prior week, and ask God to prepare my heart for what He has in store for me in the week to come.  I am going to share with you every Sunday, hopefully offering you encouragement and accountability in you fulfillment of the command to shabbat.

This past week I was blessed with the honor of teaching 1^st grade students at VBS.  I have always wanted to teach, but have never been able to coordinate my vacation time at work with the week of VBS.  This year the Lord opened doors and blessed me tremendously. 

• I was blessed to work with an amazing group of teachers in our class.  Each came from a completely different background and interacted with the children accordingly.  God showed me the importance of unity in the church, how easily boundaries are broken when we share the same focus, and do not allow our different backgrounds hinder our ability to cross the finish line as a team.  When we work together for the Gospel of Christ, we are unified and nothing will stop us!
• I made wonderful friendships that I pray will last a lifetime!  Friends I never would have made if were not for us working together at VBS.
• As I poured out my love on these kiddos, they very genuinely returned that love.  I am an affectionate person, so every hug, high five, smile, card, gift and tickle meant the world to me!  When I was weary, God used these kids to give me the boost I needed to make it through the week.
•  My girls and I were able to spend an afternoon with a dear friend and her children at the zoo.  I reconnected with one of the best friends I have been blessed with.  Even better, her daughter gave me hugs every day for the rest of the week.  May not sound like much, but to me it was huge! 
• I was able to pick up 3 precious young ladies every morning and take them to VBS.  The personality differences challenged me a bit, but God showed me the importance of tough love and patience.  Believe me, there were a few days I could not have handled 5 girls without His hand on me!  Each of those girls hold a very special place in my heart, more than they know.  I am tearing up thinking about them.  I will miss them so much next week.  The smiles in the mornings, the hellos and hugs.  Hearing “I love you, Mrs. Robin.”  Thank you, Jesus!  This was the best part of the week for me!
• I was blessed with family and friends that gave up their time, energy and talents to help me turn a classroom into Battery Park in the middle of New York!  They were so creative and giving.  A few of them even snuck in my room and took down the decorations the last day of VBS, saving me lots of time which allowed me to get ready for Deeper Still.
• Every night when I went to bed, completely exhausted from a full day, God supernaturally renewed me strength as I slept and carried me through the following days.
• God used the VBS music to remind me to set my heart in Him, to want to love Him more, to love on others, to share the message of Jesus, and that being a kid is more fun that I remember!
• Through each of the VBS lessons, the music and the kids, God prepared my heart for Deeper Still.  He had a Word for me, a very specific Word that He spoke to my heart.  One that I would not have been fully prepared for if I had not experienced VBS.
• At Deeper Still God spoke to my heart, healed some hurts, gave me a vision and direction for what he wants in my life, and encouraged me to keep my focus on Him and not allow life to distract me.
• I was blessed to experience Deeper Still with amazing family and friends (that I consider family).
• I came home to a clean house, clean laundry, hugs, kisses, and snuggles.  Thank you, Jesus for my amazing family!!!
• I had the bittersweet experience of listening to the last SS lesson from my teacher and good friend.  He has such wisdom and a heart for the Lord.  His wife is my absolute best friend.  I will miss them in class, but am so excited to see them stepping out in faith as they finish one season of life and head boldly into the next season.
• I was blessed with the opportunity to pray for dear friends that are struggling, and reminded how delicate life is, that it must be cherished every moment of every day.
• The sermon from my Pastor this morning reinforced everything I have learned this week, and encouraged me to move forward with this vision God has given me.
• I was filled with complete joy when my best friend shared with me that her daughter (one of the girls I took to VBS this week) wanted to have a bible study with her friends.  This child is anointed!!!  I have no doubt in my mind she is the Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur of her generation.  The girl is 8 years old!  OH MY!  God is going to do some great things in her and her family! 
• I was blessed to Shabbat by taking a 2 hour nap!  HALLELUJAH!
• As I worked with my family to get ready to go camping next weekend I was reminded of how precious my friends are and how much they mean to me.  I pray that I am a woman after God’s own heart and they can see that in me.

Man, God was good last week…. And I only gave you the highlights!  I pray you will take a few minutes to Shabbat and reflect on your week.  I promise you will be blessed!!!!

Sanctification

So, we have talked about regeneration and justification, which leaves us with sanctification.  This one really amazes me simply because it is not a one time gift like the others.  Sanctification is truly the gift that keeps giving.

By definition, sanctification is: to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate; purify; free from sin; render legitimate or binding.  When believe in Christ we being the journey of sanctification, or the process by which God makes us holy and sets us apart as his own.

At the moment we repent and believe in Christ the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our heart.  His job is to work out our sanctification and keep us on track with the Lord.  I don’t fully agree with the Jiminey Cricket analogy, but can see a bit of truth to it.  The Holy Spirit can in fact be our conscious, but if we limit him to that we are missing out on so much.

Max Lucado wrote an amazing book entitled “Just Like Jesus.”  The focus of the book was how God loves us just the way we are, yet he refuses to leave us that way.  He wants us to be just like Jesus.  Lucado reflects on the life of Christ and how He is an example of how we are to live as Christians and follow our Heavenly Father.  He describes how the Holy Spirit works in us to change us, making us more and more like Christ every day.

When we look at the life of Christ as our example and the Holy Sprit as our agent of sanctification, or, if you rather, our guide, we have the perfect team to teach us how to live our lives holy and pleasing to God.

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing about a change in our entire nature.  Remember we have were born in a world of sin, given a nature of sin through Adam.  At salvation we were forgiven our sins, but our flesh still battles that sin nature.  The Holy Spirit is there to guide us, give us wisdom and wise council as we war against our flesh.  With every victory and defeat we learn valuable lessons on becoming the people God wants us to be.

 We are promised in Philippians 1:6 that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. God has started a great work in each of us at the moment of salvation.  The Holy Spirit guides us to continue that good work in us, changing us and making us into the men and women God has called us to be.  He will not stop until Christ returns.  That is encouraging to me.  There have been many times that I would have given up on myself, but God loves me, God loves us, so much that he refuses to give up on us.  He will continue the process of sanctification in us until we go home or Christ returns.  Either way, the Holy Spirit won’t stop until the work is done.

Psalm 3

            I will never fully understand why I get so surprised when the Lord answers my prayers.  Not sure if my surprise comes out of disbelief that he cares enough to answer me, or disbelief that I was able to come up with a question worthy of answering.  I pray that one day I will not be quite so surprised when He answers, but will soak in what He reveals to me and enjoy the moment. 

            This morning my journal entry was written as a result of my surprise at His loving response to a struggling heart.  Though I hate to admit it, I am a woman filled with insecurities.  Like most other women I know, I try to deny those insecurities and hopefully hide them so deep that no one around me sees them.  I am beginning to realize two things.  1) I do not hide them as well as I would like, and 2) I am tired of trying to hide them. I want to learn to live a life that reflects the strength and dignity that I have been given in Christ.  So, that was the beginning of my prayer.  I stopped and read Psalm 3.  After reading it one time through, I went back to take it verse by verse and pray through it.  As I read verse 3, I began to cry.  There it was! The words I so desperately needed to hear! “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head”. 

            Immediately God planted a vision in my mind.  I could see a broken hearted little girl with tears streaming down her cheeks.  Her father kneels before her, gently places his hand under her chin and lifts her head up, just enough to be able to look into her eyes.   He smiles at her, his heart aching for her to know how much she is loved, how beautiful she is.  His deepest desire is for her to be able to see herself the way he does. 

            Could it really be that simple?  Our Heavenly Father kneeling before us, gently lifting our heads so we can see deep into His eyes?  Eyes that reveal a heart full of love and compassion for His children.  Eyes that plead with us to stop being so critical and take a moment to see ourselves the way He does.  Yes, I believe it really is this simple, yet in our flesh we tend to complicate such a simple and passionate love.

            Like many of you, I can quote scripture that tells us exactly how much we are loved and what the Lord has in store for us.  I believe these passages wholeheartedly, yet have such a hard time accepting them.  I want to, but I feel so unworthy, which leaves me vulnerable and allows my insecurity to creep in and put a brick wall between myself and the love that I so desperately need.  Of course, this leads to anger, which leads to other insecurities… and the cycle begins. UGH!

            As I learn to trust and accept more, and embrace this love, my prayer is that I will pick up some passengers along the way!  I know from simple and heart felt conversations that I am not the only one in this place.  Nor am I the only one tired of being in this place!  It is time for a change, and the only one I know that can cause real, lasting change is my Heavenly Father. With that in mind, I leave you with Paul’s prayer to the church in Ephesus:

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19.   

This, my dear friends, is my prayer for me and you.