Worn and tattered…

I love this old sweatshirt. I know. It’s a blah gray. The cuffs are frayed. There are holes here and there. Worn pretty thin in the elbows as well. And the zipper gets stuck. But it is comfortable. And comforting. It’s been through a lot. I won’t give it up for anything. Yes, I have nicer clothes. Brand new. Brightly colored. But there’s just something about this ol’ sweatshirt. It still serves to hold back the chill. The pockets still hold my cupped hands or a tissue. My keys. It might look way past its prime. But don’t let looks fool you… Yep. I love this ol’ sweatshirt. It meets my needs just fine. I’m happy wearing it. And I wear it often.

Maybe you feel worn and worn-out sometimes. Past your prime. You look at yourself and think you should look better, be better, do more. But that is not what God sees. He most certainly loves you just where you are today. You mean a lot to Him even if you feel a little (or a lot) scruffy. You still have ways to be used by Him. I want you to know you meet His needs just fine. And that He is happy with you just as you are. He knows you’ve been through a lot. And starting to look like it. Still, He will not give you up for anything. God is comfortable just being with you and happy to be with you. Just like my well-worn sweatshirt. Now I’m old and gray too. There are times when I get stuck. Yet I know God loves me. Loves me still. It is the same for you.

They will still bear fruit in old age… (Psalm 92:14)

Even to your old age and gray hairs I AM He, I AM He Who will sustain you. (Isaiah 46:4)

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:23)

Feeling a little worn thin? Frayed around the edges? It’s okay. God loves you. Forever and a day. Even in this wearied state.

Take a second, closer look at your most favorite shirt. Or comfy blanket. Maybe it’s that mug with all the chips. Hold it close to your face. And realize God holds you the same way.

God bless.

That sweet spot

Don’t you so enjoy just sitting with someone - with no agenda. Loving the sensation of rocking that grand baby, petting that lap dog (or cat), or sitting companionably with spouse or friend. You relish those moments. Please… let it last a little longer… that sweet spot between needing and remembering.

There is a middle ground between the crying, pleading, praying - and the “thank God it’s over”. A place called faith. A place of rest and assurance. That sweet spot where you know, you know, your loving God is up to something good. There is a presence, a real presence sensation.

Don’t be in such a rush to get things over and done.

There is a middle ground, a sweet spot, where faith reigns. Where you know that somehow, things are going to be okay. Deep in your heart you know it. Take hold of this special God-is-here moment.

It’s a great place of rest and release. A cleansing sigh and you are there. We all long for it. And it is available. You can go there anytime. It can happen anytime you are tired of unending prayers of asking, seeking, knocking…

Trusting. Resting. Believing. Knowing.

Are you ready to release it all? And just know the sensation of His presence? I think God enjoys that space in the relationship as well. Not needing and not yet finished and moving on. 

Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. - Hebrews 11:1 GW

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. TLB

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. VOICE

Can you take yourself there? Just together with God in the trusting knowledge of His good and gracious character… no agenda but the sweet surrender to the Almighty.

Find a rocking chair. Or that corner on the couch. Find that sweet spot the Lord longs to provide. And may God bless.

Not enough?

Just take a look at this angel. She is an earlier work of mine. She has made many crack a little smile. She has brought light into people’s day. A simple card design. And yet, how is that even possible?

She has no eyes to see. No mouth to speak. She is without hands and feet! How can she lift someone’s spirit when she is so… incomplete?

Still, she has managed to serve the Lord.

Are you thinking you don’t have all that it takes to be useful to God? Remember this angel…

Remember how she began - as a plain, blank piece of paper. Nothing. And just look at her now - bringing cheer to all who see her. Bringing a smile to your face even now…

God can use you, as incomplete and as insufficient as you think you may be. Any small gesture of kindness is all it takes. You don’t have to have your act all together, you don’t have to have all your ducks in a row first, before the Lord can use you. 

Be like this scrappy little angel. You can be assured the Lord can make an impact using you - just as you are.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7

Here’s the link to preview and purchase notecards with designs like this one!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/card-shop-2023.html

Getting my needs met

I provide. That’s Who I am. That’s what I do. When the time is right I, the Lord, make things happen (Is. 60:22). I give food at the proper time. I open My hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Ps. 145:18). I give the right words to say when the time comes (Is. 51:16). I am in the present moment to meet your needs. I am in the future with provisions in My hand as well. I am all about meeting your every need in every moment. That is Who I am. I am here. It is safe to let your guard down and rest in My sufficency. I am all in all. I am everything you need for completeness. I am your full portion. Yes... I am. Rest. I am truly and fully here for you. I am able to meet your every need and I fully intend to do so. Nothing can keep Me or stop Me from taking good care of you. It’s Who I am. It’s what I do. I am faithful. I can be trusted. You can rest now. I am here.