1 John 3:1a. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Today, my devotions began with Luke 22:42, where Jesus was in the garden of Gesthemany. Three times, he asked Father God to let the cup of suffering pass by… if there was any other way… for us to be reconciled to the Father. Cara Whitney compares this to barn chores in the cold mid-winter. It’s not quite as extreme, but you get the picture.
Meditate on These Things
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
In Uta’s devotional, the Lord called her His child. He watches for His children to think or do these things listed in Philippians 8. It brings him joy when we do. He has a deep interest in each of us; each one of us is his precious child. His longing to be with you draws you back to him when you stray.
His heart hurts with you in your trials… not because he lacks hope, but because he longs for his hope to be in you. What a wonderful Father God we have! He loves it when we love him back, with all our heart, soul, and strength. When your heart is tender towards him and we receive all that he has for you, that’s the best!
May we grow deeper in our understanding of how greatly we are loved. Let this understanding overflow and pour out on those we encounter. This is no time to shrink back and cocoon, stewing in our own affairs. God is on the move! As the Moravians say, “Our Lamb has conquered let us follow him.”
I realize we are in various stages of life and have different holiday traditions. My husband and I are at the grandparent stage, with children scattered, which means visits from them and visits to them and much Skyping. You may have a house full of children, be in a home bursting at the seams with visiting relatives, or be a recent widow/widower, adjusting to life on your own. It may be empty nester syndrome, or newlyweds kindling new traditions from diverse backgrounds. Maybe you are expecting more than one of these situations, or I have not come close to your unique situation.
Today I join the crowd turning 58! As the song ![Here in Hart's Crossing: Four Charming Small Town Novellas by [Robin Lee Hatcher]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515vpxkeScL.jpg)
On other birthday news, I found a one-hundred-dollar bill in my Birthday Card from my husband John. He told me it’s not to give away, put in savings, or use for “needs”, he wants me to get something I will really enjoy! Two of my four children have already texted Happy Birthday, my phone hasn’t stopped pinging, and we’re going to visit my son Alex’s family later today. We’re heading from there to Vermont for the first time since son Chris moved his family there to attend a Birthday Party for our granddaughter Ashlynn. She turned 5 on May 7th. The weather here has become true May weather; the sun is back after a long stretch of rainy days, so it’s a great weekend to travel and visit.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation! I’m so thankful for all the years He has been my strength and my song. So many deep waters and Hallelujah times woven together to bring me to this day. I am thankful for my mom who spent this day in the hospital in 1963, thankful for her parents who arrived the evening before I made my appearance, thankful for my dad who was so happy to welcome his fourth child into the family. I’m also thankful for the people I have met that have the same birthday. I think there must be some connection there, since God plans our appearance; our birth on the earth, to be just right for His glorious plans to unfold.
Musings along life's journey 