Daddy

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
-Psalm 103:13


Daddy,

Funny, but when I write to You, I always start with Father. It’s authoritative, solid, head of the household type reverence. Yet You are close to me, hovering over me in a familiar gaze. You are with me. I run to Your arms.

But still there is Father. Father, if Your will be done… Father, You created the heavens and earth… Father, You are holy and I have never been more aware of my stains.

Somehow, Daddy sounds comforting, more childlike. And isn’t that what You wish our relationship to be? The ability to scoop me up in Your embrace after I’ve skinned my knees in disobedience, wiping away the tears that fall because You promise that there is rejoicing in the morning?

If I really dig under the layers of this endearment, I’d want to burrow deeply into the comfort of Your wings and tell You all that scares me. Then You can whisper in my ear, “It is alright, my love. I am here.” And You will stand in my corner when the world presses in and I’ll smile at those who sneer, because I know my Daddy’s got me. He fights for me, because I’m His little girl.

Thank You for protecting me. I love You.
Your Little Girl


Prayer:
Daddy. That name brings comfort, brings warmth. And You do hold me close. You wrap me in Your love and wipe away my tears, comforting the inner child of my heart. Thank You for pulling me close. Amen.

Lily Among the Thorns

Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens.
-Song of Songs 2:2


You’ve read book after book, devouring chapters of blazing gazes and whispered promises, but as the last page turns, four walls return and you’re left, alone and silent, in the emptiness.

You’ve tried the warm arms of a cold heart, only to lay awake in the morning sifting through ashes of a fire fanned out.

You’ve stood in the deli section of the grocery store, ticket in hand for shaved ham, noting how similar you feel to the piece of meat being weighed on the silver scale.

You’ve assessed yourself with practiced eyes in front of the mirror, magnifying every blemish, every wrinkle, every added curve until, like Dorian Gray’s portrait, the reflection turns into a hideous monster.

You’ve watched friend after friend float down a petal-strewn aisle, your bridesmaid dress fitting a bit too snug, pondering when it will be you tossing the bouquet instead of catching it.

You’ve trailed rivers of tears down your pillow in the dark, replaying the events of hours earlier and asking yourself over and over why you just weren’t enough.

So you hesitate with your heart, skeptic anyone will sweep you off your feet.

Then He appears. Almost out of nowhere. You’re in the corner of a coffee shop, sipping your favorite latte. Jogging through a park, feet flying over the pavement. On your second load of laundry, separating the delicates. At first, the smile on His face slides over your head. Surely it couldn’t be aimed at you. But you sneak another glance, this time noticing the depths of piercing eyes fastened on you.

He makes His way towards you, stopping a few feet from your gaping stare. With a gentle yet purposed stride, He closes the distance and pulls you into His arms. It feels natural, as if your head was formed for His shoulder.

Leaning down, He tickles your ear with words. “You are beautiful.”

A kiss, soothing on your scalp, lands in the meadow of your hair. “You are who I’ve been searching for.”

Hands, stained with scars, wipe away the drops of doubt that roll down your face without permission. His next breath filters to your heart, fusing precisely into the space you’ve branded hopeless, and you return the embrace, this unexpected love springing swiftly to your soul.

“Like a lily among the thorns, so is My darling among the maidens.”


Prayer:
Thank You for loving me. All of me- imperfections and all. May I fall more and more in love with You as I seek after Your heart and all You encourage me to be. Amen.

Pierced

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
-Isaiah 53:5


I had plans.
They were my own.
A fistful of fairy dust
that would carry me
off to Neverland.
You saw the empty breaths
I took to give them life.
They were never deep enough.

So You became my
second star, twinkling
across the cosmos.
Stepped from Your throne,
trod the mud streaked streets
to Calvary.
Bled the nails that
cursed your skin,
covered my stain.
Black velvet colored
a mourning sky;
gasping pleas
fell from grasping lips
to forgive my thoughts
and all You knew
would pierce my heart,
which struck Your soul instead.
The wails echoed against
stifling silence,
a silver blade slid from
the soldier’s belt
through your side,
and in flawless surrender
Your scarlet river
rushed through me.

You are in my veins.
Everything has changed.

Take a Chance

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
-Psalm 96:1



Saturday afternoon, I popped the Mamma Mia soundtrack into my car’s CD player and started grooving and singing along to the upbeat songs. I felt happy and lighthearted for the first time in weeks, and I wanted to savor it. My fingers tapped the NEXT button until the first strains of track 16 sifted through the speakers. My favorite song- Take a Chance on Me. This song gives me such a fun feeling, the thrill of someone desperately, yet assuredly, asking me to take a chance and open up to love, to trust. I’ve always pictured my future husband singing this to me, and I would unabashedly smile, maybe awkwardly join in on the high parts, and agree to the opportunity he was offering me.

But as I pulled into my driveway and started the song over, something struck me. The words jumped out in new meaning. The unseen face of my love shifted to a man with gentle eyes that sliced through to my soul, saw everything black and corroded in my heart, all my failings and fears, and wanted me to be His anyhow.

Let’s do something. Let’s go back to biology class for a bit. A Swedish quartet is in front of you, all smiles and song. Anticipation itches through your veins. Take up your scalpel. We’re going to dissect Abba.

When you think about it, these lyrics can sound like they were written by Jesus specifically for you. How He stands, watching you, wanting you to see all He is offering and all that can be when you allow Him to be a part of your life. He knows about your struggles, your fears and all that keeps you from fully committing. But He is patient, very patient, and He wants to see you put your heart in His hands.

Ready? Alright, dig in!


If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me

He has always been, and will continue to be, first in line for your heart.

If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me

When you’ve run into a corner, crawled into a dark space or your hope has just plain deflated, when all feels lost, He is still standing by your side.

Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Go ahead and ask Him anything. See what He says.

Take a chance on me
Take a chance on me

How much more obvious can you get?!

We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better

Talking. Silence. Dancing. Dreaming. He wants to do it all with you, wants you and He to really get to know one another.

'Cos you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you

Jesus knows all you are meant to be and every wonderful thing He can accomplish through you.

You want me to leave it there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can't let go

He never lets go.

Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, know I'm gonna get you
You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you

Patience is a virtue. Jesus had all time before creation to think about you and entertain your heart.

Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough

Point in case- Jesus on the cross.

You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind
No I can't let go
'Cos I love you so

You are ALWAYS on His mind.

Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa ba-ba
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me

Ba ba ba ba baa…. Living in Jesus’ love should feel like bursting into song!

Jesus is waiting. Wishing you would take a chance on Him. Who knew we could learn so much from a pop song?


Prayer:
I thank You for teaching me to see ordinary things from an eternal perspective. I do thank You that like the songs says, my love is what You want, and You patiently pursue us to personally know You, as well. I pray I can take these thoughts of You with me as I go about the week ahead, and take satisfaction in saying YES to Your love. Amen.



Just for fun, here's a link to listen to the song!

Disclaimer: Lots of winking and knitted sweaters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crgQGdpZR0