Past and Future

Recently, I got to thinking. Thinking about my dad. For those of you that may not know, he passed away about a year and a half ago in a car accident. I thought of what things were like around that time; the hole that was torn out of my heart, the hole that was torn out of my family--things were never to be the same again. And they haven't. Then I got to thinking, "How have I made it this far? Why am I okay, when I shouldn't be okay?" The answer: God. Without Him, I wouldn't be okay. I'm afraid to know where I would be without Him. He's brought so much healing to me, to my mom, to my brother, to my family--it can't even be explained. It's amazing how far He can take you, when you allow Him to. I've also been reminded lately of God as our lover. Granted, that does sound weird. But it's true. God wants nothing more than to be intimate with us. He wants to love us, bless us, and He wants nothing more than the best for us. More than our parents, more than our best friends. How crazy is that thought--many of us having parents and friends that really care for us, so this thought is definitely mind-boggling. The fact that God loves us more is certainly a crazy thought, and it's something we shouldn't forget. We should never forget how He loves us.

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." -- Ephesians 3:18

I never told you how that "week" went. All I can say is... it was great. Great because I got to see God move in mighty ways. He opened so many doors for me to talk to people, to encourage them, and to simply be there for them. I won't lie to you... it was hard. There was a lot of sacrifice being made, and I didn't think I was going to be able to endure it. Denying yourself of what you want most is definitely difficult. But by God's grace, I made it. Doors were opened, and He moved mightily. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity that I had, and that He drew me closer to Him. I knew then that it wouldn't stop after the week was over; it's continual, it's always going. With everything I have, everything I've got, no matter how difficult things get, I'm going to give God my everything. Because He's worth it. He's worth every minute, every thought, every sacrifice. And I am comforted, knowing that He's there for me. He loves me and blesses me, and He can do the same for anyone else. If He can do it for someone who's worthless, who's got nothing going for them on their own, He can do it for anyone. And He does do it for everyone. He loves every single one of you, and wants the best for you. May you constantly be reminded of His love for you, and allow it to work in and through you... He's so worth it. So, so very worth it.

"For God so loved YOU that He gave His One and Only Son that whomever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:16