Delighted

This morning I was on my way to the church for Mom Time.  I was in a good mood and looking forward to gathering with this amazing group of women.  Somewhere along the way, actually, I don't think I had even got to the end of my street yet, God started talking to me.

You know what he said?  He said he is delighted in me.  Yep.  Delighted!  Wow, how amazing is that.  He reminded me that I am his devoted daughter and a princess in his household. 

Then I saw in my mind's eye, God sitting back and watching me with a smile.  God was smiling at me.  It made me think of how much I love to watch my boys.  They make my days so bright.  I take delight in watching them grow, explore, play, and learn.  It's hard to imagine the God of the universe feeling that way about me.  But he does!

Later I was thinking about Israel.  God loved and pursued his chosen people in spite of all their shot comings.  Even when they turned his back on Him.  I know I don't always do things the best way, but he loves me, he pursues me.  (That's another amazing description of God's love for me - PURSUES).  Again I was brought back to my boys, I love them even when they don't want to sleep, and when they cry for hours, even when they vomit or poop on the floor, and willfully refuse to obey.

Thank you God for loving me.  I am honored to be your devoted daughter, whom you pursue and take delight in.

My Phrase

This Sunday I was blessed to be part of the worship meeting at Heartland Church.  This is our home church but it is sometimes difficult for me to get there on weeks that Randy works.  This week we had a guest speaking with us, Chip Judd is his name.  Chip is a pastor and a professional counselor.  We always love to hear God's word as it comes from Chip!

This week he shared about "The Keys to Happy Living".  Chip talked about the fact that everyone is living out a story.  It is the story that they have written for their own lives.  He challenged us by reminding us that we have the power to change our personal story.  Through a testimony of his own, Chip helped us to hear that God has something more for us than we have written for ourselves and in order to change our stories into the story that God has for us, we need to look to Him for help.  In the end of his message, Chip encouraged the church by telling us that there are 1-3 phrases that haunt us, that make our story less than what it could be.  We need to consult with God about the truth in these phrases and see God's phrases spoken into our lives.  God's phrase for my life has to be bigger than the other phrases that I hold on to.

I quickly was able to identify one phrase that has "haunted" my story.  See, from the time I was in early elementary school (I'm talking first grade), I have heard the phrase "Gifted Under Achiever" spoken into my life.  Ouch.  I have lived up to that.  Even in graduate school I did not achieve to my fullest, because I was gifted enough to get by. 

I prayed about this and saw how it has effected my life even as a wife and mother.  I am working on embracing God's phrase for my life.  God says I am a "devoted daughter".  Wow!  What a name to live up to.  It sure does take a lot more work than the old phrase.  I am so glad that I have a new platform to grow toward!

Another blessing this Sunday: one of the ladies in the church prayed for Crackers and I, in her prayer she referred to us as a "Madonna and child"... I love that image, it touched me.  Even though I don't know your name, thank you for praying for us and for blessing us.