Thursday SHINE....
Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 2
Happy Serve Day Thursday, sweet SHINE girls! Make today count! Serve someone in your path. Open the door for them, re-fill their coffee, go out of your way today to serve someone. It will bless you both!
So, I am a little giddy today. My knight in shining armor--Lem--came home last night. (angels sing!)
As you read from my Tuesday post, things have been a little out of whack around here with the man of the house gone. Seriously, it's been quite an ordeal for the kids. My little Presley has cried herself to sleep every night since he left. Oh yes.
To top that off, Joseph has nobody to help him with his Math. (his words!) Gee thanks.
All day yesterday, I was thinking of something to do for Lem as a welcome home present. Like, cook his favorite meal? Wash his car? Clean out the garage? (never mind)
Honestly, I just could not wait for my best friend to get home. I've needed him this week. I've needed his calm words, his gentle wisdom, and his strong arms to collapse into at night.
The first thing I wanted to do when I saw him was run into his arms and hug him! I even envisioned the song "Reunited and it feels so good!" playing over and over. :) Silly, but true.
As I imagined our sweet embrace when finally being able to see him, I remembered the story of the Prodigal son.
Sunday night I had the pleasure of visiting Passion Church in Atlanta. The preacher spoke about the Prodigal son and it was fresh on my mind yesterday as I pictured Lem's return.
Do you remember the story from the new Testament?
The son had squandered all of his father's money and had left home for several years. Finally, when he was desperate, poor, starving, and hopeless, he headed home to his father.
Anticipating rejection and not being accepted into his fathers home, he walked up the driveway anyway. The son was prepared for the worst. He had become so desperate that "the worst" was better than where he was.
His father saw his son from a distance. He dropped everything he was doing and RAN to meet him. Y'all he ran! (That is exactly how I felt when I saw Lem last night! THRILLED!)
The father did not reprimand his son or want to talk about his bad choices. He was just overflowing with joy because he had his son back! How this father must have imagined this day over and over again in his head.
Not only did the father run to meet his son, he threw his arms around him and kissed him! Oh, the sweet visual!
Girls, this picture is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels about us! Has it been a while since you have been down His drive way? Or in His word, as Lisa posted yesterday? Or maybe it's just been a while since you have collapsed into His arms.
He's giddy to have you back. No matter how far or how long you've been gone, sweet girl, He's running to meet you. No, He's sprinting to meet you.
Picture Him scooping you up and spinning you around. Kissing your beautiful face. That's how much He loves you.
Happy Serve Day Thursday, sweet SHINE girls! Make today count! Serve someone in your path. Open the door for them, re-fill their coffee, go out of your way today to serve someone. It will bless you both!
So, I am a little giddy today. My knight in shining armor--Lem--came home last night. (angels sing!)
As you read from my Tuesday post, things have been a little out of whack around here with the man of the house gone. Seriously, it's been quite an ordeal for the kids. My little Presley has cried herself to sleep every night since he left. Oh yes.
To top that off, Joseph has nobody to help him with his Math. (his words!) Gee thanks.
All day yesterday, I was thinking of something to do for Lem as a welcome home present. Like, cook his favorite meal? Wash his car? Clean out the garage? (never mind)
Honestly, I just could not wait for my best friend to get home. I've needed him this week. I've needed his calm words, his gentle wisdom, and his strong arms to collapse into at night.
The first thing I wanted to do when I saw him was run into his arms and hug him! I even envisioned the song "Reunited and it feels so good!" playing over and over. :) Silly, but true.
As I imagined our sweet embrace when finally being able to see him, I remembered the story of the Prodigal son.
Sunday night I had the pleasure of visiting Passion Church in Atlanta. The preacher spoke about the Prodigal son and it was fresh on my mind yesterday as I pictured Lem's return.
Do you remember the story from the new Testament?
The son had squandered all of his father's money and had left home for several years. Finally, when he was desperate, poor, starving, and hopeless, he headed home to his father.
Anticipating rejection and not being accepted into his fathers home, he walked up the driveway anyway. The son was prepared for the worst. He had become so desperate that "the worst" was better than where he was.
His father saw his son from a distance. He dropped everything he was doing and RAN to meet him. Y'all he ran! (That is exactly how I felt when I saw Lem last night! THRILLED!)
The father did not reprimand his son or want to talk about his bad choices. He was just overflowing with joy because he had his son back! How this father must have imagined this day over and over again in his head.
Not only did the father run to meet his son, he threw his arms around him and kissed him! Oh, the sweet visual!
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
Luke 15:20 (read the whole story here)
Girls, this picture is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels about us! Has it been a while since you have been down His drive way? Or in His word, as Lisa posted yesterday? Or maybe it's just been a while since you have collapsed into His arms.
He's giddy to have you back. No matter how far or how long you've been gone, sweet girl, He's running to meet you. No, He's sprinting to meet you.
Picture Him scooping you up and spinning you around. Kissing your beautiful face. That's how much He loves you.
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has known
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
If you are in a rut, crawl out and come back to Him. You don't have to spruce up and look your best, just come to Him broken and still in pieces. He will put you back together. Perfectly.
I've been in more ruts than you could count on your pretty little painted toenails. The good news is: He always takes me back. With open arms--ready for me to collapse in.
reunited and it feels so good,
jill
