"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7

If it is love- then love never gives up. It fights. It's continually hopeful as it endures every obstacle or circumstance. It proceeds down the road as it goes on that "bear" hunt. 

It looks around and may become afraid for a minute. As a young child sees something and quickly becomes afraid. She forgets the hand that gently holds her. She looks up and remembers she isn't alone. She smiles at him. He points out things around her and the beauty he has created for her enjoyment because he loves her. He takes her on a journey through hot deserts, lonely places and grassy fields. He never lets go of her hand. And as she clenches his hand tightly someone approaches. She looks up at her daddy and becomes timid and afraid. He quiets her and assures her, "it's okay." Her father allows this boy to come and now take her hand. The boy looks at her and they begin to walk together with their father. She loves him and he loves her. Their father, their creator is overjoyed of their presence together. He is glorified through them together as together they now praise his creation. They become excited by the smell of the flowers. They grab hold of petals and embrace the beauty. They look for others near them and bring them along their journey. They share their story with others and promise that although the journey is hard and long - they always have a hand firmly grasping theirs.

Devotion.

Trust me in every detail of your life. Nothing is random in My kingdom. Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who love me. Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good, through My transforming grace.

5 months ago

5 Months ago.

I wrote a letter to myself to encourage myself of where I wanted to see myself after my term in AmeriCorps NCCC ended. I wrote to remind myself of all the skills I had learned and all the experiences I had. I wrote to remind myself that I should not look back on anything I had done or didn't do in regret - but Praise God for the experience I had. I wrote to recognize that all things that occurred were orchestrated by him alone.

God was with you and although at times you slipped – you are human and he still is completely in love with you. He still loves you and longs for you because you are his daughter. And he is proud of the places you have came and the places you are going today.

Words I wrote in this letter to my 'future' self that bring more comfort to me today then I would have ever realized. God is with me. Immanuel. He is with us. I may feel weak or deep in sin or alone. But God is never turning his back on us. He holds us close and calls us his beloved, his dearly loved, his daughter.