A Day for Love Letters

Day 55 of Photo Inspirations -- A Day for Love Letters
Yesterday was a sweet home-bound day, when the snow continued to fall and give me every reason to stay in my comfy robe and househoes.  I love these days when it seems that God gives me a heavenly nudge to slow down and enjoy the stillness as long as I can and do something that isn't so easy on a "have to" day. I know it's absurd of me to think He ordered the day just for me, but I did.  I live inside the box of just God and me.  We've got a "thing" going on.   It's one of the perks of being a widow.  I like to think that I'm so special to Him, that He orders up special gifts and treats.....just for me.  The Apostle John thought the same thing.  Remember how he kept referring to himself as the "one that Jesus loved". Those words are found six times in the Gospel of John.  My goodness, that must have ticked off the other disciples, but I like to think that each and every one of us can say that.  "I am the one that Jesus loves," because He does.  So I like to think He ordered this day just for me, after all, I'm the one Jesus loves.  Tomorrow is another day when duty will call, but for this day, it was only doing the "want to's", with just a little "have to's".

While I was basking in His love for me, my "want to's" included writing "Love Letters" to some important people in my life -- to express my love, AND God's love for them.  And it felt so good to be in such a peaceful and quiet place where I could truly think about what they meant to me......and then expess those thoughts in a Love Letter.  Isn't that the pattern God gave us?  He gave us so many Love Letters in the Bible, but each sunrise, each snowflake, each sweet smile and "I love you" from others to us, and even, each morning -- just waking up -- is His love letter to us.  He says "I love you.  I love you.  I love you."
#ForGodSoLoved #ILoveYou #LoveLetters

I Want My Life to be Filled With "I Get To" Moments

I am one to make "to do" lists.  And I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment as I check off each "to do" item.  Last week, my "to do's" included getting my home ready for the family coming in, getting the pantry and fridge stocked with food, getting my baking done, and getting my annual family photo taken.  I was able to check them all off.  

There are a lot of "have to's" in my life.  I have to pay bills.   I have to respond to emails.   I have to go to the grocery store.  I have to put gas in my car.   I have to clean my house.  I have to eat.  I have to wash my car.  I have to pay taxes.

It’s interesting to look at my "have to" list, and the "get to" list.  My "get to" list -- are the things I "get to" do spontaneously AND intentionally, because I CAN, and because  I really want to do those things.

I GET TO write a daily FB post that fills me with unabashed passion, that often keeps me up late into the wee hours of the morning -- seeking God for "the word" that just might make the difference in someone's day.   I GET TO run daily because it makes me feel alive and energized.  

I get to be a silly, wild and wanting-to-live-out-loud with my grandkids like, yesterday, playing hide-n-go-seek and skipping rocks on water, playing Apples-to-Apples and anything else to be a "rockin'" Nana!   I get to be free of having to have the house in perfect order when the grandkids are here -- the messes are nothing compared to the freedom of doing the things that matter most --

like have a sand-design competition -- and, yes, in Nana's house.  Spending time together TODAY -- in this sweet, present time -- time that we'll never have like this day again.  

Then I wonder where does my time with God fall?  Into the "have to"  list or the "get to" list?  Do I consider my time in the Word as a “have to” or a “get to?”  And what about my worship and praise to Him?    Actually, I do pray for God to create in me a "get to" holy desire to spend time with Him, in His Word, worshipping Him and praising Him for all He means to me.     I want it to be the item on my to-do list that becomes so non-negotiable that it comes before everything else in my life.   I want my life to be filled with “get to” moments and not “have to” tasks because I can see them all through the lens of blessing and answered prayer.

Aren't we so glad that we're not on God's "have to" relationship list, but we are His most precious "get to" relationship list.  He considers us His most cherished and beloved of all treasures.  Shouldn't we be living like that?