God Shows Up

I have SO much to be thankful for and yet I have found that my "Thousand Gifts" are taking longer to count than anticipated. Can I have an extension? :)

This last month was unexpected, in many ways. Dear friends of ours lost their little 5 1/2 year old girl, Bailey, the morning after Christmas. It was unexpected and a shock. I guess death is always a shock, but this was not anticipated. And it's just not what we were meant for...originally. It feels so...wrong.

And yet, I find myself thankful for so many things, on their behalf even. I'm thankful for the way I saw God's people gather around them in love, comfort and support. I'm thankful for the hope of heaven and the resurrection that I saw them cling to. I'm thankful for a God who set a steady stream of passages throughout the Bible to steady our feet when faced with such loss. I'm thankful that when the bottom drops out from under us and what we believe is tested, God shows up. And He shows us Himself. But not to everyone all the time. Why?

Here's some thoughts: John 14:21 says, " He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." Do we reduce this to: if we obey Him, then He will love us? What ARE His commandments? Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Do you want to know Him in all circumstances? The good, the bad, the terrible? Then, LOVE HIM...with ALL your heart. Believe what He says about Himself...isn't that love, believing the best of someone? Don't give up on Him! He can take your anger and confusion, or whatever it may be. Be honest with Him! If you love Him with all your heart, he will disclose Himself to you.