So many today live in the wilderness of hopelessness. To the outside world they appear to have it altogether. But in reality a slow, agonizing death haunts their daily existence.
I like many of you was once counted among the terminal. Regardless of how hard I tried, nothing could silence the emptiness shouting its name. Nothing that is, until I had a personal encounter with Papa, my heavenly Father.
In June of 2000, my husband and I were visiting one of our daughters. She shared that her two young children were happier, and she was more hopeful since regularly attending church. Begging us to go with her to church, I reluctantly agreed.
I had long ago given up on Christianity. Who or what was to blame for my spiritual apathy?
I assume some of the responsibility. I was lackadaisical in my pursuit of Papa and His truth. Instead, I chased the American dream and its promise of happiness.
Church attendance felt more like a duty than an opportunity to encounter the Creator of the universe. Sermons devoid of divine revelation and supernatural power left me spiritually malnourished.
Other Christians did little to convince me of the transformational power of Christianity. Many were the antithesis of Christ, hypocritical.
Thankfully, our heavenly Father is faithful even when we aren’t!
Climbing the steps that Sunday morning, I anticipated a repeat of the past. But that morning Papa welcomed me with arms opened wide. Engulfing me in a cocoon of love.
The prodigal had returned home.
The reality of Papa’s Kingdom was tangible. Papa’s love captivated me. Touching the innermost parts of my being. Gently reassuring me I was safe and loved unconditionally.
Unquenchable love. Making a lifelong pursuit of Papa and His Kingdom irresistible.
Tender love. Healing the scars incurred on the battlefields in the war for my soul.
Empowering love. Gracing me to forgive the individuals who carved those scars on my soul, including me.
Encouraging love. Declaring my best days are yet to come.
Since that summer day my life has dramatically changed. My husband is no longer here to witness my personal transformation. He is with Christ experiencing first hand the majesty of Papa’s love.
As for me, life is a tapestry of blessings. Pursuing dreams long kept hidden. Saying goodby to destructive coping skills. Embracing living in the present, not the past.
Interwoven into this tapestry are threads of betrayal, death and hardship. Experiences that in Papa’s loving hands are creating a heart strong as steel and soft as silk.
Resilient heart. Not defined or defeated by negative circumstances.
Hopeful heart. Envisions a Christ-like life that navigates a fallen world with courage and integrity.
Faithful heart. Doesn’t’ rely upon the meager promises of man but the powerful promises of Almighty God.
Humble heart. Graciously submits to Papa’s rules of engagement on this side of eternity.
Persevering heart. Tenaciously pursues Papa and His Kingdom no matter the cost.
It was Papa’s faithfulness and love that began my transformational journey. A journey on which an insecure, introverted woman discovered her VOICE.
It is my prayer that you too discover your VOICE. You are too special to be an imitation of someone else!.
letsloveothers 