Jonathan Pooh Bear and my Sweet Cheeked, Sleepy Head, Fuzzy Hair Daniel Love.

These were the special names I chose for each of my sons when they were born.

Silly, heartfelt creations like the one my grandmother had given to me. She had dubbed me Tootle Bootle Bum Bum as a child, a name that I did not unearth until I had sons of my own. While Jonathan’s eventually moved to Bubbie Boo and Daniel’s name was shortened to Mushy Moo, I am sure that my teenage boys would be happy to bury these terms of endearment elsewhere.

But on the days when life is unkind, I hope they dig them up and remember that they are loved.

There are names that the world piles upon us, like dirt, that are not so heartfelt.

And sometimes, there are names we misguidedly heap upon ourselves.

We forget so easily that Our Heavenly Father has special names for us as well.

Chosen.

“We know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that He has chosen you…(1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Forgiven.

“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

Accepted.

“Receive one another, then, just as Christ received you, to God’s glory.” (Romans 15:7)

Loved.

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

His children.

“But to all who have received him – those who believe in His name – he has given the right to become God’s children.” (John 1:12)

The enemy is not happy when we remember our name.

When Issac became too powerful, he was met with opposition.

“The man had so many flocks and herds and servants, that the Philistines envied him. So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug up in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with dirt. Then Abimelek said to Issac, “Move away from us; you have become to powerful for us. So Issac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. Issac reopened the wells that had been dug up in the time of his father,Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham had died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them.” (Genesis 26: 14-18)

Filled with dirt, Issac not only opened the wells, but also gave them the same names his father had given them. He reclaimed the names.

Sisters, I do not know what names the world thrusts upon you, like mounds of dirt filling the wells of your souls, but I do know where your name is written.

On the days when the world is unkind, dig deep into His word and remember your name. Reclaim it.

Chosen. Forgiven. Accepted. Loved.

His child.

Amen.

“I’d know that walk anywhere,” I told John.

We were meeting my Uncle Dick at the airport and staying with my family in Oahu before going on to Kauai. I had scanned the baggage claim area to look for him, but his face was not the first thing that I recognized. The man walking away from us had a distinct shuffle.

I had seen that walk a hundred times before.

It belonged to my grandmother.

Tootie, as I liked to call her, had passed away a few years before I met my husband. I was brought up in a multi-generational house and she was a daily part of my life growing up. Tootie was my safe place. My heart was heavy when she died. I knew she would never see me walk down the aisle or meet my husband and children. And they would never meet the woman who shaped my life by teaching me about faith, contentment and love.

But there was something about Uncle Dick that reminded me so much of Tootie. That moment seeing him shuffle through the airport almost took my breath away. The family resemblance was striking. His facial features and gait were the same, but it wasn’t just his appearance. It was also his character that mirrored my grandmother’s. There was a familiar kindness in his eyes, and a contentment and love for his family that made me feel as if I were looking right at Tootie. His faith was evident. And I vividly remember saying to my husband, “this is the closest you will ever come to seeing my grandmother.”

When Jesus came to live among men, this was the closest we had ever come to seeing God.

Colossians 1:15 :“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

We were now in the presence of a man whose character mirrored that of the Creator.

Jesus was gentle and moved among the people in a distinct way. He spent time with those society deemed unworthy or undesirable: tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, criminals.

He walked among sinners.

He walked in love.

Friends, we are created in that same image.

Genesis 1 : 27 “ So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

God created us in His image for a reason.

My friend, Randy, a youth volunteer, recently reminded our group at a Youth Rally that we all have a family resemblance to God.

Some people have never experienced God. How will they experience Him through seeing us? Will they see the family resemblance?

Friends, God asks those who He created in His image to walk in love.

What a wonderful world it would be if our family resemblance to our Father was so strong that others would say:

“I’d know that walk anywhere.”

Walk in love, brothers and sisters.

As I sat on the couch, frantically trying to finish my progress notes, I was aware of his presence. Dad sat on the opposite end of the sectional smiling at me, waiting for me to engage him in some conversation. “Not now. Can’t you see that I am busy?” I screamed inside my head. I turned my gaze in his direction and gave him a smile, and quickly returned to my work. He just continued to sit there in silence, smiling. I can still see him sitting on that couch, in his faded jeans and white zipped up sweatshirt. And now, 7 years after his death, this is the memory that haunts me.

I know without a doubt, Dad knew how much I loved him. He and Mom lived with us, and were a daily part of our lives. We had many conversations. I went to all of his doctor’s appointments with him, and helped care for him during his illness. I have no regrets about my relationship with Dad. Except for this one moment.

Sitting there with that smile, I knew that he was just looking for some acknowledgement or recognition that he was there. I know this feeling now in a way I didn’t know seven years ago, as my sons are teenagers now. I feel like I am fading into the background as their days unfold, just waiting for some sign that I am still important in their world. And now as I sit on that same couch, I smile and wait for them to lift their heads up from their phones, simply wanting for them to present.

When I picture Dad on that couch, I think of how loving and patient he was with me. He did not get angry or frustrated. He simply waited for me to turn my gaze toward him.

Sisters, our Heavenly Father is loving and patient as well. He smiles as He waits for us to turn our gaze to Him. His love for us is unfailing, even when our eyes are focused on the things of this world.

Like a parent waiting for a child, He simply wants us to be present with Him.

Psalm 103: 8- 17 tells us this :
8The LORD is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17But the love of the LORD remains forever
with those who fear him.

It has been 7 years, and I still cannot look at the couch where Dad sat without remembering him. But now in his place, a red cardinal can be seen directly above that same spot where he once sat through the window.

And I know his love remains.

In the spirit of the season, remember to turn your gaze to the greatest gift man has ever received.

Be present.

His love remains.

Thanksgiving morning.

Coffee made. Parade on the television.

Teenage boys in their rooms (It’s Thanksgiving break..where else would they be?)

Max, our dog, keeps moving from spot to spot in the living room as my husband folds the laundry and I go through the mail.

First he lies on the floor, then goes to the back of the couch.

He loves to sit in the warmth of the sun.

“Max is following the sun,” says my husband.

I put down my coffee and observe Max for a moment,

He is following the sun.

This phrase puts a screeching halt to the other thoughts racing around my head.

He followed the sun to find this place of contentment.

Max, our 5 pound Morkie, who yaps when we hug each other, goes after the boys’ socks while they are still on their feet (I still have yet to figure out this phenomenon), and races around the living room, leaping like a rabbit from one end of the couch to the other, is suddenly still in the warmth of the sun.

God is always speaking. Sometimes in the most mundane moments.

When we look to scripture, we see in multiple verses in the New Testament that many followed the Son.

John 6:2 A large crowd followed HIm, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.

Luke 9:11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed HIm, and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

Mark 3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples, and a great multitude from Galilee followed, and also from Judea.

They were following the Son.

Maybe they were searching for a place of warmth from the cold, hard world.
Maybe they were searching for healing.
Maybe they were searching for contentment they had not yet found in their lives.

So they moved.

They followed HIm. They followed the Son.

And He spoke to them. Welcomed them. Healed them.

Because they followed HIm and believed.

Sisters, I do not know what it is you are searching for today, but I know that in His presence, you will find a warmth and contentment like nothing this world can offer.

And that is something to be thankful for today.

Will you follow the Son?

Romans 8: 38 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the power of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Do you have enough love for today?

This was the question I would ask the boys before they left for school when they were little.

Ok, full disclosure.

I asked my sons that this morning. The senior and the sophomore – each more than 6 feet tall with facial hair. One drives himself to school . They are young men now. 
But I still see them as these little boys who have to go out and face a world that is not always kind.

And so I ask….do you have enough love for today?

Love provides the fuel that keeps us moving forward, even on our hardest days. 
I want to make sure that their tanks are full before they start the day. 
But in the very near future, sooner than I care to admit, I will not be there to ask the question as they go off to that college class or to work. 
Will they have enough love?

But it never should have been a question, but instead a declaration:

YOU HAVE ENOUGH LOVE TODAY AND EVERYDAY!

WHY? Because Romans 8:38 tells us that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.

God’s love is always with them : when they leave for school, go off to college and begin a family of their own. That is the truth that I want them to live out. God will fill their tanks each and everyday.

Do you have enough love for today?

I hope that they remember the answer is always yes.

Amen.

Did you ever have that feeling?

You know the one, that lays heavy on your chest and deep in the pit of your stomach? 
The one you feel after you hear that voice that says you are not quite good enough for the rest of the world?
The voice that says what could you possibly have anything to offer? 
Or that anyone could possibly hear anything you have to say?
That feeling that renders you powerless, that almost paralyzes you?

I know that I do. On more days than I would like to admit, and probably on more than anyone would ever believe.

But here is the truth.
I am powerless.

Wait, what?

Now, that probably does not sound encouraging, but believe it or not it is liberating.
I am not in control, God is. 
But the minute I start making it about me and what I can do,
I neglect to honor the One who has not only given me life, but also what it is that I offer to the world.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It does not say I can do all things…..
But don’t we think that sometimes? 
That notion that I should be able to do that? 
And when I can’t or don’t, I feel like I don’t measure up. 
I feel guilty, ashamed, not worthy.
It is not about me….it is about Christ in me.

I begin to compare myself with others whose special or unique qualities make them appear more desirable, more worthy. They know more, they do more, they are liked more. But the truth is that none of us are worthy. 
And yet the God of the universe loves us and calls us HIs own. 
God tells us in Psalm 139 :14 :
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
I know that full well.”

Who can argue with that?

Me.
I argue with that everyday.

Because in truth, God’s love does not make sense.
When I am yelling at my kids, or judging someone else, or am completely going against what I know is God’s will, how could He possibly love that? 
So I argue…and feel a little sorry for myself.
And I am sure that Satan is somewhere doing a happy dance, because in that brief moment it appears he has won.

But sisters, that is why is necessary, even vital, to sit and spend time with Father God. 
To be still and hear His truth and not believe the lies.
God speaks, but know that Satan whispers, too.
In our busyness, in our self doubt, in our comparing, sometimes Satan appears louder than God. 
His whispers are almost deafening.

But not God’s….God’s voice my friend is calming, reassuring, loving.
When we are still and grounded in His truth, we know the difference.
We can distinguish between the truth and the lies.

When we keep our focus on Him, we know it was never about us being good enough for the world, but being loved by Him regardless of our flaws and human nature.

When we spend time in His presence, we recognize that any good gift we have to offer comes from Him.

And it is not our words that the world needs to hear, but His words through us.

How do you allow God to speak to you and through you?