God2Share

Coffee in one hand, cell phone in the other, I sat down on the couch to send a text message to my step-daughter, Victoria.  

I wanted her to know I was thinking of her.

“Good morning, beautiful.  Hope you have a great day. Love you.”

I hit “send” and took a sip of my coffee.  

Moments later I heard that annoying sound, the one that lets me know that my text had not gone through.  

I glared at my phone.

“Message failed.  Try again.”  

Frustrated, I hit “try again” and waited.

The connection signal is sometimes weak at our house.

Again, I heard that annoying sound.

Ugh.

Would she ever get the message that I loved her and was thinking about her? 

It was with this failed attempt that God whispered a bigger message into my heart.

“How many times have you not received my message due to a weak connection?”

Honestly, there are many days that I miss God’s voice.

Sometimes my connection is weak.  

Instead of taking time to sit in His presence, pick up my Bible or pray, I get distracted by my own thoughts or the busyness of the day.

But wIth each sunrise, God sends me a message that He loves me and is thinking of me.  

How many times do I miss that?

What if I never received the message that I am loved?

Gratefully, the Creator of the universe hits “try again” because He wants all of His children to receive the message that we are loved.

He never tires of showing us just how much.

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, because His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3: 22-24

God sends us daily reminders faithfully.

And even when our connection is weak, He remains strong and constant in pursuing us because He loves us.  

So much that He sent His only Son to die for us on the cross.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

His message comes through quickly when our connection is strong. 

And even when we get caught up in the distractions of life, God will continue to send  messages of His extravagant love.

Friends, our Heavenly Father wants to have a relationship with each one of us.

Keep your connection strong by staying in His word, praying and seeking Him throughout your day,

And remember, even when our connection is weak, He will try again and again.

Thank you, Father God for never giving up on sending messages to Your children of Your unending love.

Sometimes you don’t see it even when it’s right in front of you.

Just off of Buttermilk Falls Road is a little piece of paradise.

This gem is somewhat hidden by the greenery that gently frames it.

A waterfall that flows into the still waters below.

God nudged me to pull the car over this morning to take in this beauty.

And to hear His voice.

The gushing water poured over the rocks with a powerful force.

My mind drifted to a number of friends facing difficult circumstances today.

Health concerns, losing a loved one, financial burdens.

I imagined this same force surging through their bodies at this very moment, with fear and despair.

Sometimes you don’t see it even when it’s right in front of you.

Busyness obstructs our view to the brokenness that is going on around us.

The window from our laptop or cellphone frames the world in a way that hides what lies beneath the picture.

Quickly, we survey the image and return to our lives.

There is an acknowledgment, but no understanding.

Jesus was in front of the multitudes.

Many saw Him, but did not see Him.

He preached to the crowds.

Many heard Him, but did not hear Him.

The disciples questioned why Jesus spoke in parables.

“This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For the people’s hearts have grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” Matthew 3 : 10 – 15

Sometimes we don’t see Him even when He is right in front of us.

Quickly, we glance at His image and return to our lives.

We acknowledge His presence, but have no understanding of who He is.

Friends, we need to take a closer look.

Today I challenge you to stop, look and listen.

No quick glance and returning to your to do list.

And in that sacred moment, my prayer is that you see another powerful force at work.

Just like the waterfall flowing into the still water below.

May His power wash over you and bring you peace and understanding.

Don’t miss it.

It’s right in front of you.