God's Love

When I did something "bad" as a child I knew my mom would still love me. I was never afraid that I would do something so horrible that she would not want to take care of me, bless me, or hold me. When did I ever allow myself to start believing that my heavenly Father wasn't the same? I sin and cringe, wondering what punishment I will receive from God. What will he take away? What will he do to correct me? What will he with hold?

I don't have to fear. I can trust that my God loves to take care of me, loves to bless me, even loves to prove His love for me when I do mess up. He's not out to get me. He cherishes me. He wants me to succeed, to be happy, to feel loved and protected. He wants more for me than I could ever imagine. So much more.

My Panda

When I get to heaven I'm going to have my very own panda bear. I've known this for a while. He is going to be cute, fluffy, clean, and soft. I am going to ride him everywhere I go and anyone who wants to ride with me on my panda is more than welcome. Sometimes when I'm sad I think about heaven, how wonderful it's going to be, and about my panda. I truly believe in my heart that one of the first things I'll see in heaven, besides my Beautiful Lord, friends and family, is my sweet panda. I picture Jesus and I riding my bear next to a crystal stream in a grassy meadow. I'm holding onto Jesus and we are looking at everything around us, taking it in all in.

Heaven is going to be amazing. It makes me tear up just to think about all the wonderful things awaiting me. I wonder, what you are going to have in heaven? I know Jesus has my panda already picked out for me, and I completely trust His choice. He is going to be amazing.

She Prayed...

She closed her eyes to breathe in. She knew she needed something, she just didn't know what. She took a sip of her warm tea and snuggled up to her blanket. It was warm inside her home...safe. She was grateful. She prayed to the Lord that He would understand when she didn't. She prayed to the Lord to show her the way when the road seemed unclear. She prayed that He would hear her heart when she didn't know what to say or how to say it. She prayed that he would draw near when she was afraid. She breathed in. Safe and warm, she fell asleep.

Learning to Love

One of the hardest realities to accept in life is that we can't force others to love us. We have to simply love them and hope they will love us in return. We have to learn to trust, believe and rest. I've spent many years worrying about the one's I love not loving me back. I've wasted hours fretting that their words of love will come back empty, leaving me abandoned and alone.

If my love was perfect then there would be no fear, for perfect love cast's out all fear. I have to allow Christ to love through me, a sacrificial love that I receive from Him daily. I have to give my love to others without any expectations.

Like I said, one of the hardest lessons in life is learning we can't force others to love us in return. But, when we find out the ones we love do love us and we choose to trust instead of fear, nothing in life is sweeter.

"Remember Surrender" by: Sara Groves

Remember surrender
Remember the rest
Remember that weight lifting off of your chest
And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was

Remember surrender
Remember relief
Remember how tears rolled down both of your cheeks
As the warmth of a heavenly Father came closing in

I want to do that again
Why can't I live there
And make my home
In sweet surrender
I want to do so much more than remember

Remember surrender
Remember the peace
Remember how soundly you fell fast asleep
In the face of your troubles your future
still shone like the morning sun

Remember surrender
Remember that sound
Of all of those voices inside dying down
But One who speaks clearly of helping
and healing you deep within

I want to do that again
Why can't I live there
And make my home
In sweet surrender
I want to do so much more than remember
Remember
Oh surrender

by: Sara Groves