Falling In Love with Jesus

I remember the first time I really fell in love with Jesus. I was sitting in an evening class at the Helms' house at Canada West School of Worship. Our teacher that night had just finished his lecture, and had picked up his guitar and began to lead us in worship. In the past, I would always sing along during worship and try and focus on the words. But this time I closed my eyes and found myself dancing in a golden field. It felt amazing. I had never felt so much freedom before. And oddly enough my dancing was actually beautiful (you would understand why this might surprise me if you have ever seen me dance in real life). In fact, I don't think I've ever felt as beautiful as I did dancing in that field.

As I was dancing I noticed Jesus walking in the field nearby. As soon as I saw him, I started running toward him with so much excitment and joy. He came running to meet me and as soon as he reached me he picked me up, twirled me around (like a daddy would twirl his little girl) and spoke these words, "I Delight In You". And that was it, the moment I fell in Love with Jesus. I remember sitting there, being completely blown away! You delight in ME Jesus? In ME? I couldn't believe it. The God who created the entire universe and made all things beautiful, delights in me. And what girl doesn't want to be told that? We all have this desire to know that we are loved, delighted in. I often revisit that moment. There are days when I'm down or moments were I'm sad, and sometimes in those moments I go back there to be with Jesus in that field.

About a month ago, God reminded me once again of his deep love for me. This time it was through a vision he gave a friend of mine at the College and Career retreat. During that weekend I had been thinking about the people I knew in my own life who seemed to have a clear sense of where they were going. They were doing something important, something that mattered and I had been asking God, "what about me"? Well that night my friend pulled me aside and started to tell me how she had seen me standing in a field. There were people dancing beautifully around me. And as I stood there and watched, Jesus came up to me, picked me up and put my feet on top of his, and said "Don't worry about what everyone else is doing, this dance is just for you". That night I felt so romanced by God. Literally Silly in love with Him! If you've ever been in love, it was like that, but ten thousand times better. I don't really know how else to describe it.

And there are days, especially lately, where I feel heavy and burdened. But God always, sweeps me away in His love. And so even though times are hard, His Love is ENOUGH. And He's ALWAYS there when I need him. He will NEVER let me down, he NEVER leaves me or abandons me. How amazing. And guess what, He feels exactly the same way about YOU!

Taking a Time Out

I'm always posting other people's words that inspire me lately...and well, here I go again...here is a post by Stasi Eldridge (writer of Captivating)...

I’m trying to relate to my sixteen year old son. It is not going well.
Sometimes I feel that he looks at me like I am a strange (not exotic, just strange) fish swimming inside of a tank. What?!? Huh?
I don’t like it. I want to snap at him for looking at me weird, dismissing me, not responding to me with awed respect. I want to go into the pantry and eat some forbidden food by the handful. Bury my face in a pan of brownies. That’ll show him.
Instead, as those godless roads are closed to me, I escape to my bedroom and give myself a time out. Big breath. What is true? Who is the grown up here? How do I love from this out of sorts place? Jesus, please come. Help me rise above my hormones and sugar addiction and self centeredness. Fill me Holy Spirit. I breathe you in. I let go of my own agenda and complusions. Thank you.
I’m still hungry but choose to reengage.
“Ping pong?”, I offer. He says no thanks. I am still a fish.
“I turn my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth.” I love you, Jesus. I know this is about me, not my son. You are the only One who can fill this hungry heart.

This got me thinking about how I respond to similar situations. I obviously don't have kids of my own...but I think this concept works in most scenarios. Taking a Time-Out and asking God to re-focus us is a good thing to be doing.