“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8(NIV)
Over the years, I have experienced God’s provision. Many times I received exactly what I needed at the perfect time, but this year especially is saturated with God’s gentle kindness and attentiveness. Time after time God had already put something in place I had not known to ask for.
When my husband unexpectedly passed away, I was flooded with needs. But, as each need arose, it was immediately resolved by things that were already in place. Little things and big things. I learned that God even cares about the details of my life.
I had been preparing for my blog launch. Part of my preparation was to make myself presentable so that meant I needed to get my hair done. Looking at the calendar and the condition of my hair, I realized I was in that weird space of getting my hair done too early and possibly needing it again for the actual event. I decided to endure how awful it looked until I could get it colored two weeks before the event. A few days after getting my hair done my husband passed away.
God knows me and He knew I would not have had the desire, strength, or focus to get my hair done in the midst of my grief, yet I would have been painfully aware of its unkempt condition. One can never prepare for a life event such as this so to experience a subtle act of provision tells me He sees me and He cares. To me, that is the kindness of a good Daddy to love on His daughter in such a tender and intimate way knowing she would be enduring the most heart-shattering event of her life.
It would take too long to express my wonder and gratitude for the blessing that my two sons are to me. It’s like having two of my husbands but in their own unique way. God knew the provision He was orchestrating for me with two boys to lean on.
I often reflect on my daughters-in-law and how they bless me in so many ways. I was remembering how I prayed for my future daughters-in-law when my sons were tiny babies, so I marvel at how God answered so beautifully. What most softens my heart is how He put these relationships together long before my young sons had their eyes on each of the girls.
When I was in grade school, I had the sweetest friend. She and I were in the same class and we spent the night at each other’s house whenever we were allowed. We only had a couple of years together before my family moved away, but we tried to stay in touch. Life has a way of pulling families in different directions. We were no different, and so we lost touch. One day my mother-in-law, whose number was listed in the phonebook, told me someone was looking for me and had asked if I’d call her back. She handed me the info and I saw my sweet friends name so I called right away. We were able to briefly catch up, but it was her invitation for an annual celebration she and her family hosted that started the union of my firstborn son and her oldest daughter. This grade-school friendship made a full circle to reconnect at the perfect dating age of our high-school children.
When my youngest son was five, my husband signed him up for T-ball. He only played one year, because we began to travel every weekend with motocross. In his T-ball pictures for that one season, there are a couple of photos with his future wife running around in the background. The connection was made through her older sister who was on his T-ball team. During my son’s brief T-ball career, I had the chance to meet her mom and dad as we sat on the bleachers for games and practice.
Years later, I kept hearing this one name come up time and time again, so I asked my son about her. He said, “Mom, she’s different than all the other girls.” It was clear this was serious, so I began asking more questions. As we talked, I realized we already knew the family through T-ball. I remembered how supportive her family was, and her mom was always prepared, kind, and generous.
Who knew these seasonal relationships had a bigger purpose and that they would bring such beautiful blessings? God did. The God of the Holy Bible is purposeful in all He does, He wastes nothing. He is the God of relationship and everything He builds is rooted in it and He is the only authority to redeem all that is dead.
Father God, His Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit define and model the first relationship—the perfect relationship. They model the supreme choice: love—a love where the truth is welcome, covenant is protected, and where love is not an adjective but rather a verb.
You and I are the object of God’s love. In His sovereign love for us, He set in place a provision so that during our lifetime we have the opportunity to have direct access to God.
Over 2000 years ago God gave us a baby boy, born in a filthy barn among common livestock. A very humble setting so that no one would be afraid to approach Him. He was the Word made flesh, He testified to who God is and His blood paid the ransom that was on our heads.
A billion years from now we’ll still be enjoying the benefits of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary. The life and death of Jesus demolished the barrier that separated us and it has paved the way for us to have an intimate and personal relationship with God. Here. Now.
When Jesus said, “It is done.” and took His last breath, He meant there was nothing further that needed to be done to satisfy the wrath of God. We do not need to work to please God, the church or the people who fill it. You do not have to worry about what people are saying behind your back because you are no longer defined by your past you’re defined by who God says you are. You don’t have to get yourself cleaned up before God will love you, He loves you just like you are. You are completely known and fully loved by God.
He’s the lifeboat in the sea of life, but He doesn’t just offer you a life preserver; He stretches out His hand and offers you the opportunity to get in the boat alongside Him. He’ll mentor you with a love you would have never thought to ask for or been able to imagine. Grab the lifeline, climb in the boat, and begin to experience a little slice of heaven right here on earth.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.
- Have you experienced a need and then had it met in an unexpected way? Write it down and then read it often to recall the goodness of God.
- Is God your provider? If so, in what ways has He provided for you? Reread this often to see God’s care for you.
- Have you acknowledged what Christ did on the cross for you? If so, write down the circumstance that made you feel the need to ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior and tell what that experience was like.
- If you have not taken a hold of the life preserver, asked God to change your heart and climbed in the boat with Him, why not? What is holding you back?
- Take a few minutes to look at a picture of you as a young girl. How would you define her? God knows that little girls heart is still the same regardless of mistakes she’s made. Knowing that God has the heart of a father, how do you think God defines you? Look up scripture so see how much you mean to the heart of God.
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says to encourage you and to give you an example of His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
When you read God’s Word say to yourself: God is going to make sure I have what I need when I need it. Not a day too early and not one single second too late.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
