Inside Out Kind of Love

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

I came to a "deep" realization yesterday...God loves me from the inside out! How is that for profound? I have been reading a lot about LOVE, love between husband and wife, love for your kids, love for yourself, love of country and of course, love for God. It struck me yesterday that God loves me from the inside out. What I mean is that He loves me despite what is inside of me, tucked away, for no one else to know but me. That is the kind of love that overlooks all faults and shortcomings and encourages you to continue on in, walking with Him and living for Him everyday. He works on the inside and His love shines to the outside of me. He isn't afraid to get in the darkest places of my life and love me.

I am crazy about that kind of LOVE! Inside out Love, loving someone past all their yuck and encouraging them to become all that God has created them to be. Getting a glimpse of who God is growing them to be, by loving their inside. I want to love with this kind of love, my husband, my kids, my family and friends, and myself. Lord, help me care for others the way you care for me, and to see them as you see me. I want to love with an inside out kind of love.

God is Good!

God is so good! No really, I mean it God is so GOOD. I am physically somewhat better today and that is a blessing. Rest is the ticket I believe. When I sleep I feel much better. However, I am talking about more than just feeling better physically. I never cease to be in awe of God and how when you take your cares to Him, He meets you right where you are. My circumstances really have not changed, dear husband is still training, school is still happening, chores need to be done and I still do not feel 100%. The difference is I feel God's presence like a warm, fuzzy blanket wrapped around my shoulders. I feel supported and loved from family, beloved friends, church family and co-op family. Thank you for the encouragement, offers of help, calls and e-mails. I truly feel so blessed. Sometimes, it is not that God has gone anywhere, it is that we have wandered off on our own, trying to make it on our own. I really am so glad for God's patience with me. I had not really wandered off, I just was not looking around for His daily assurances. I felt so under everything that I could not look around or up and that is where the trouble begins. He lifted my head. Psalm 3:3 "But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head." God is Good!

I am starting a new Beth Moore Bible study on Esther-It's tough being a woman. I am so excited to be doing the study. Beth Moore is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I will post more as we continue over the next few weeks with it. I was blessed to see my sweet friend that just had to say good-bye to her beautiful baby girl such a short time ago sitting in the same row as me last night at Bible study. Her baby is resting in Jesus' arms. Her face radiated with God's love. That is a testimony. God is Good!

Going to a birthday party for my nephew and my brother who both celebrate birthdays this week was another example of God's goodness. My brother's wife died last February 1 after a battle with cancer. She was here this time last year. Sitting with my family, watching us all carrying on over my brother and nephew was a blessing. My sister's present to my nephew was special. My precious sister-in-law wanted my nephew to have a guitar for his birthday, but thought last year he was still too little for it. She asked my sweet sister to make sure he got one the next year if she was not here to get him one. My sister went out last year and got a guitar and took it to my sister-in-law's hospital room for her to see. Sunday my nephew received the guitar. That story was shared with me yesterday, it brought tears and the reminder once again. God is Good!

Co-op friends have returned from Africa with their long awaited precious gift from God, a new brother for their family. They are safe, he is here with them and they are blessed. They have been challenged and expanded by their trip and experiences in Africa. They will never be the same again. God is Good!

So, we will start this week anew, with Mom having a fresh breath from God and ready to go with whatever the week, the days, the hours,the minutes bring. Thank you dear Lord and thank you sweet family and friends for the reminders of God's goodness to me.