I smiled with a dazed look on my face and my heart answered Him. It’s LOVE. The kind that hurts when you hurt, smiles when you smile, delights in your presence, believes in you when you don’t. The kind that teaches you how to read, walk and talk and love. The kind that teaches you how to dream with your eyes open. The kind that looks into your eyes and sees the world. The kind of love that perseveres, trusts, and never fails. And He told me smiling back at me: “I knew”.
He knew the journey He had laid out for me would require this kind of foundation. He knew me before I was even conceived in my mother’s womb. He planed every detail of my childhood to prepare me for adulthood. He chose the parents and the family I have to prepare me for what was to come. He knew that life way from home would be anything but easy. He foresaw every circumstance and situation in advance and prepared the way. It would be full of loss, shattered dreams, rejection, pain, despair at times, pure joy, failures, rebellion, victories, he knew it all. He knew I could not just run home.
He asked me to leave my mother and father and follow Him. I left home at a very young age, continents away from everything dear and familiar. And He prepared the path. He gave me certain skills, convictions and passions because they were necessary to follow Him where He was leading. He knew what it would require. He chose my personality, my desires, my strengths and my weakness. They are all gifts from Him. And they are all good. Where I lack His grace abounds. He knew the cost of independence, the cost of what it would take. So, being All Knowing He provided. He gave me parents who loved and trusted me DEEPLY. Just like He does. Through them He has loved the deepest parts of me so faithfully even before I said yes to Him. Since the very day He thought to create me in my mother’s womb I belonged to Him.
He knew that I would need a very strong, special bond with Him. He truly does spoil me! He knew he would always be home to me and He has always been more than enough. I always run to Him with all my rebellion, anger, joy or happiness. He is safe just like home. And just like my earthly father, my Heavenly Father is very patient and tender and sweet, full of compassion. His kindness always leads me to repentance. And most of all He calls me by name. The sweetest sound!
Why do you love HIM?
What is your name? Is your name, Beloved, Redeemed, Broken, Dove, Rescued, Pursued, Delivered, Forgiven, His, Beautiful, Special? Do you know what that means to the core of you?
I love Him because He ever so deeply loved me first. And on my very best day I don’t deserve it. I follow Him because He gently leads me. He chose me first. My earthly father named and calls me Ejvis. One day my husband will give me his name. But my Heavenly Father will always call me Deeply Loved! And I truly am, thru and thru.
Would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat!
Love you all deeply!
Readings: Psalm 139
