I’ve been walking faithfully with Jesus for two decades. Coming late to the party has been in many ways advantageous. Experiencing the disappointments and lies of this world. Left me yearning for more and determined to find it.
I had learned that the American Dream was not all as advertised.
According to the American Dream I should have been fulfilled and happy.
Marriage.
Children.
College education.
Home ownership.
A profession that guaranteed financial and personal independence.
BUT
None of the above did anything to fill the emptiness in my soul that daily grew harder and harder to ignore. Nothing that is until I had an up close and personal encounter with Papa.
In June of 2000, my husband and I were visiting our oldest daughter in Houston, Texas. She shared with us how the church she was attending was changing her life. Begging us to go to church with her. Reluctantly I agreed.
As I walked through the doors love overwhelmed my heart. My heavenly Papa was there with arms opened wide for His prodigal child. Lovingly welcoming me home.
That day I had an unforgettable encounter with Papa. His presence captivated me. Touching the innermost parts of my being. Gently reassuring me I was safe and loved unconditionally.
Today my heart grieves for anyone who has never experienced the exquisite love that is Jesus.
Unquenchable love. Making a lifelong pursuit of Him irresistible.
Tender love. Healing the scars incurred on the battlefields in the war for my soul.
Empowering love. Gracing me to forgive those individuals who carved those scars on my soul, including me.
Encouraging love. Declaring my best days are yet to come.
Much has changed since that day.
Personal relationships extinguished by death and betrayal.
Realigning temporal priorities so I can focus on building Papa’s Kingdom, not mine.
Seeking Papa’s wisdom. Studying and mediating on His teachings, so I’m not easily shaken by trouble. Nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies. Ephesians 4:14
Embracing the challenges of taking up my cross daily. Dying to self. Progressively being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to even more glory. Which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Eternally, I will cherish that summer day when Papa lovingly whispered into my heart, “I will never under any circumstances desert you. Nor give you up. Nor leave you without support. Nor will I in any degree leave you helpless. Nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you, assuredly not!” Hebrews 13:5
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