He Loved You First

"That's how I know he wants to be my friend mom," said one of my sons, as he hung up the phone. My listening tuned in a little closer to this conversation as I sensed something profound was about to come out.

"Okay, tell me what you mean Morgan," I said. "Well, you know how you have some friends who don't ever call you or ask if you want to do stuff?....How it can seem like you're always the one asking to hang out?" I smiled....yes, I know what you mean.

"But then, if somebody calls you, just for no reason, just to see how you are, you KNOW they like you and really want to be your friend. They call you first!" he continued.

"That's how this is mom. Somebody thinks I'm cool to hang out with and it just makes me feel great." And out the door he went to hang out.

Instantly, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart. That's how you can know and rest assured that I love you Yanna. I thought about the truth that Jesus made the first move towards me. Why do I love Him? Because He first loved me. 1 John 4:19. He's the One who said in John 15:16...You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you...

Jesus has made the first move towards you. To be in relationship with someone, a response is needed. He wants to spend time with you, hang out with you....because, just because, He loved you first.

Ready or Not?

"WHEN is he coming?", complained Miri. "We have been waiting too long. Every night it's the same thing. Aren't you getting tired Eliza?" Eliza understood Miri's comments but did not share her impatience. It was an honor to have been chosen as one of the ten. She did not take it lightly.

"He said he would come and he will. We must keep listening for the shout and even in our resting, be watchful," Eliza gently encouraged her. "I'm going to the market today for extra oil....come with me. It would be a shameful insult to the bridal party if our flames should go out."

Miri checked her oil supply. She had never been much of a planner but always accomplished what was necessary when the time arrived. "It's too hot and I didn't sleep well last night. Plus my oil supply is fine," she said, with a hint of irritation in her voice.

Eliza pressed her...."Miri, remember, we may be waiting for awhile or we could be called on tonight. Are you sure you have enough for the entire journey?"

With a sigh, Miri insisted her oil supply was adequate. As the younger sister she was used to Eliza's reminders and again, they fell on deaf ears. "I'm going to lay down....enjoy your walk to the market."

Eliza made her way out onto the well-worn dusty road. Her heart was hopeful that tonight was the night the bridegroom would call. It had been a long wait as Miri said, but new hope seemed to rise within Eliza every morning with the sun. Today was no different. She was determined to be ready....so much so that enough oil was not sufficient...extra oil for the journey would be a sacrifice....something more to carry...but it would ensure her torch would stay lit. She needed to be wise.

Nightfall seemed to come quickly that day. Miri and Eliza, along with the other girls, began to nod off. Eliza had become an expert, however, at sleeping with one ear open...always listening. She was the first to hear the cry at midnight. Eliza's heart was pounding as she roused the others from their sleep. "Wake up, wake up. He's coming!" she called to them. They each quickly prepared and lit their torches.

As the bridal procession began, Eliza caught her sister's eye. Miri's torch was lit but there was a look of worry on her face. "I can't help her now," thought Eliza, hoping her sister's assessment of her own oil supply was accurate.

They were halfway there and Eliza's heart was soaring. The celebration, complete with singing and dancing in the streets, announced to all that the bridegroom had indeed come for his bride. He had made a promise and had kept it.

"Eliza, Eliza, help me," Miri's voice was desperate. Eliza knew before she turned around that Miri was out of oil. "Eliza, please, lend me some of your oil. You have more than enough and my torch is going out," Miri pleaded with her sister.

It was too late for a lecture. "I must keep my own oil, Miri. My own torch must stay lit. Go, quickly, and get more for yourself, so you don't miss the feast and celebration," Eliza said, wishing her sister had heeded her earlier warning.

Miri ran quickly here and there searching for any oil she could find. Panic rose in her heart. "Why did I not listen and prepare when I had the time?", she chided herself for being lazy.

As she made her way to the wedding celebration in the dark, Miri saw that she was not alone. Several of the girls had failed to prepare. They ran to the door as it closed. Miri was full of regret. She knew this would be an embarrassment to her family. She had taken lightly the honor and responsibility given to her.

The Lord has challenged me to check my oil supply. And as Eliza reminded Miri, I'm gently reminding you....He is coming. We must be listening and we must be ready. IN John 14:1-3, Jesus tells us that He has gone to prepare a place for us and that He will come back for us. I pray today you will have a new expectancy of His return. He is our bridegroom and we are His bride.

This blog was inspired from Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Read it for yourself:)!

SCARS

If you are living, chances are you've endured some painful experiences with people. You may have been on the receiving end of a rejection or you may have delivered one yourself.

Each one of us can look back on our lives and remember people we used to be close to that are no longer in our space. Depending how long ago the removal of that relationship was, the pain of the loss can still be intense, or it may have subsided to a dull ache.

Recently I ran into someone I used to be very close to. Life's circumstances and personal decisions brought a separation that left me reeling in my emotions. The loss of a close friend can bring intense pain, whether it's a moving away geographically, a death, or a rejection.

I went through a season of asking questions of the Lord, of condemning myself for mistakes made, and well, crying a lot of tears. But it was a season... and in time ...God healed my heart. He taught me through my mistakes, He reminded me that while people will fail me, He never will. That though people leave our lives for various reasons...He is always by my side.

This unexpected meeting sent my heart into my throat. With that deafening thump in my ears, I prayed quietly for God to be the Strength of my heart. And He was. A peace settled over me and He gave me courage to initiate conversation.

I'd love to tell you it went well...it didn't. There was a fresh pulling away, icy coldness and minimal response.

It was tempting at the end of the evening to sink into a familiar pit. I recalled the wound, the pain,the loss...the Holy Spirit spoke quickly to me. The wound is a healed scar Yanna. There is no oozing, no bandage necessary, no scab left for picking at....simply a scar to remind you of lessons learned and My ability to heal you. Leave it with Me.

Often times we nurse our wounds long after they are already healed...it gives us something to talk about and we can sink into self-pity or wallow in our emotions. Other times we take it upon ourselves to rip off the scab and slow down the healing process. The Lord challenges us to move on, to purpose not to sink into a pit of reliving long gone pain. Have a look at the scar for the purpose of growing and learning and remembering that He was and is still a Healer and Restorer of wounds.