for love

God is really gracious to me.

Life has been hectic and really taxing in every way, but here I am still standing, strong. Not flailing, but strong. Praise God!!

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Cor 12:8-10

He is faithful, and true to his word.

I just started reading Philip Yancey's book entitled Prayer. It has sparked a lot of thought (one of my colleagues calls me 'thinking cap girl'). It's spurring me on to a more intimate prayer life with God, and while there is still much more room left for improvement, I'm so grateful that God has honoured this heart that yearns for him. Spending time with him...is almost always different. Sometimes it is so sweet, and he allows me to see from his eyes, and it's like psalms pour out from my lips. At other times there are no words...just silent pleadings. Sometimes I get distracted, and I have to pull myself back. But I'm realising in a very real way that words might be the least important part of prayer.

I'm still learning...I'm still walking...

These days I feel like I am being romanced. I've never experienced anything like this. Jesus chooses the hardest of times...only to lead me away from it, into the desert...

I'm learning about God's fierce passion for his bride...about deep pain and heartache. Everyday, I'm still learning. He is amazing. How does he support and comfort and teach and romance me all at once?

My heart is so lifted in who he is.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
- Lamentations 3:22-26

"Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
"In that day," declares the LORD,
"you will call me 'my husband';
you will no longer call me 'my master.'
- Hosea 2:14-16