Love Letter

When was the last time you received a love letter? You know the kind, intimate and beautiful. It was so special that you tucked it away as a keepsake. It is a letter that defines “the perfect love”. We all hunger in our hearts for a love that will last, unconditional, never wavering. A love that will never leave you wanting for more or leave you feeling insecure. 

God has written in His Great Love Letter a message to you that is worthy of tucking away to read again and again. Through the prophet Isaiah, God tells you that you are precious, honored, and loved. That you were chosen by our Creator, He has called you by name and you are His. You are chosen to know Him and believe in Him. He promises when you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown and He will never leave you. 

“You are precious to me”. When was the last time you called someone precious? The word itself evokes thoughts of tenderness and affection. 

“You are honored”. He honors you despite your imperfections. He places you in authority over His creation and when you get to Glory, He will place you in authority over His heavenly kingdom.

“I love you”. Most of all, you are loved so much that He sacrificed His only son for you. This is a love that can fill any gap or hunger you may have.

Chosen, honored, precious, and loved. These words are an intimate message, a love letter to you from your God. Tuck it away.

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

The Little Messes

Have you ever had one of those mornings? It’s 4 am, I’m sound asleep when suddenly I’m awaken by the sound of my golden retriever heaving. I jump out of bed because I know what’s coming! I’m screaming “Hurry Tobe, hurry, hurry!” By the time I fumble with the lock of the back door, it’s too late, he hurls it all over the floor, then  feeling better, goes back to bed. I turn the light on to clean the mess up only to find my  husband, completely oblivious to the drama, sleeping with a smile on his face. For a nano second I think evil thoughts about the barf in my hand. (But only for a moment ya’ll .... I would never, really).

That started my day. When aggravation finds me, it tends to stay awhile, then I find myself noticing all those irritating things going wrong. It’s the little stuff in life that usually gets under your skin and causes a very unchristian-like attitude to erupt from within. I  believe it’s because we think we can handle the little stuff ourselves. But when I’ve had enough I am inclined to want to complain to God. Then I stop, take a moment to regroup, or maybe God speaks to my heart right about this time. If I’ve never questioned God about my blessings, then I shouldn’t question Him about my troubles. My blessings far outweigh any troubles I will ever have on this earth. Oh how quickly we forget that. There is a great line in a song by Francesca Battistelli which says “in the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed”. Isn’t that true?

It doesn’t matter today if you are facing little messes or huge crises, God is with you! He loves you and blesses you every day. Look for it! In the middle of your mess, realize how you are blessed!


Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:6

Caution: Under Reconstruction!

On most days I drive on a highway near my house that is under construction. I face constant road blocks, detours and rough spots, causing frustration and impatience rising up inside of me. I must endure this for a while knowing that when it is completed it will be worth it. The highway will be smoother and faster to my destination.

When I became a believer, God made a highway through this heart of mine that is an ongoing reconstruction job. To build a highway requires raising up the lows places and leveling out the high ones. Likewise, he raises the valley of my low spots of despair and discouragement and levels the mountain of pride and ego. All the crooked places of deception and dishonesty he reveals to me, making it smooth. He is not through with me yet, but on that day of completion, it will be worth it.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness;
   it will be for those who walk on that Way. Isaiah 35:8

  Father God, thank you for loving me enough to not leave me as you found me, but are molding me more like you.