A Saintly Example

Today is my mother's birthday. I am grateful for the inspiration she is and will always be to me. From her, I learned to be a good mother to my children. I learned to be a good wife and helpmate by watching the way she loved her husband.

I learned to forgive quickly because of her example. I learned to look to Christ for my purpose and worth because of her love and devotion to Him. I learned that God always creates beauty out of broken lives by watching how she lives her life so eloquently and intentionally. 

I learned to dance and laugh and sing in all circumstances by watching her. I learned about God's amazing grace by being around her. By her example, I learned that being a follower of Jesus means helping the poor by actually getting close to them and getting to know them. I learned how to be accepting of everyone, how to love unconditionally, and how to give sacrificially because of the way she lives daily.

I learned from her how to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not just talk about it. I learned how to show grace and kindness to all people no matter how they treat me. And I'm still learning to be generous and gracious in everything I say and do by watching her.

Happy birthday to the best mother and saintly example a person could have.

I love you, Mama, with all my heart!

Lovesick

Song of Solomon 5:8

"I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, As to what you will tell him: For I am lovesick." NAS

Isaiah 54:5

“For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” NIV

Standing next to the bed my grandmother, Mimi, was resting on, I realized she was dying. After a long visit with her that day, I leaned over to hug her and say goodbye the best way I knew how. "You're going to see Papa soon," I exclaimed. To my surprise, Mimi's response was different than I expected. She looked intently at me. "I'm going to see JESUS," she said in a matter of fact way.

That was the last time I saw Mimi in her earthly body. I walked away with a sense of awe about the words she had said during our last time together. I had known how Mimi loved Jesus, but that day I realized the true dept of her love relationship with Him. Seeing Jesus face to face was far more important to her than being reunited with the man she was married to for 61 years. Mimi had a rich relationship with my granddad. She had grieved intensely when he passed on 10 years before her. But in the decade that she had been apart from her earthly husband, she had allowed Christ to sweep her heart away and become the husband her soul needed. I was amazed.

It will be 5 years this summer since that sacred day with Mimi. Her death changed my life. Today, I understand that deep love she had for Jesus because I have found it myself. I have fallen so head over heels in love with Jesus that I'm lovesick. Nothing else can satisfy my soul. Nothing or nobody can meet my needs like Jesus. I pray that the whole world will catch this love bug.

Jesus will come back for His lovesick bride. He won't return until we are ready. Have you fallen in love with Jesus? Or are you stuck in a routine of religious duties?

Jesus is beckoning His people to walk in an intimate love relationship with Him. May we fall at His feet daily and let Him love on us in the way that only HE can.

A Prayer:

Beloved Jesus,

I thank You for the great love You lavish on us—your Beloved Church. I pray that we would be so lovesick for you that we would fall at Your feet constantly to hear Your beautiful voice and to soak in Your amazing love. Lord, let us carry this love message to a broken world. And let the whole world catch this love sickness for YOU. Jesus, oh how we love You. Amen.

Whispers from God:

My heart yearns for you to sit at My feet. One glance from you makes My heart leap. I want your love more than anything else. All that your soul needs is found in Me and My love. Come enter into a beautiful love story with Me. Let My love carry you through life’s challenges. Come rest forever in My perfect love.

Live Abundantly!

Amy