So much love to give, but so limited.
I'm sure you can relate.
It feels like time and space are always holding back the love we want to give.
Divided.
Not enough hours and not nearly enough wisdom
I have plenty of love for my husband, my kids, my whole family, my friends. . .
I get frustrated with my limits and mostly my "self" that get in the way.
I love my husband and want to be the helper he needs
to show the love that I have.
Parenting is especially hard, trying to meet individual needs of all the
ages, and stages and personalities.
As a daughter, I want to love and honor and return back -
though it could never be enough after all they have given.
And there's more precious family. . .
And I'm surrounded by friends and others I want to serve. . .
Divided:
This for here; that for there.
Now for this; Later for that.
When I fall short of what I desire
When I try to divide up the time and make the most of it all
When I don't even know what to do or what is needed
I stand in awe of God.
God's love is so personal.
With no limits.
Nothing to divide.
He has come directly to us: face-to-face,
even filling us up from within.
His love has no bounds
And His resources have no limits.
And He exists above time.
And He knows every need.
He is seeking and teaching
leading and loving
EACH of us.
My gifts, your gifts - so unique and with a personal plan, a personal vision.
Enough love and fruit for me to live and so plentiful that I can give.
Over and over, the Bible has stories of how God gives:
just the right word
the perfect rescue
the right amount of time
the perfect wisdom.
He comes to individuals.
It's overwhelming when you think about it.
Every parent, every teacher has felt the sorrow of not being enough.
Not being able to meet all the needs.
But God does.
And although we can't reach as far and wide as the Father,
there is a beautiful, peaceful truth.
Love spreads, the Gospel spreads, in the face-to-face
The one-on-one.
In the relationships of loving and caring.
We can't be all the things, all the time-
That is God's space.
But -
We can love in the moments and opportunities given.
We can set aside the distractions for meaningful moments.
We can depend on the Spirit, rather than ourselves.
Because He works through us.
---
Face-to-face He comes, whispering -
every time I choose to listen.
A living word that speaks to me.
It's every parent's dream -
of pouring in love at all the right times.
and guiding in all the right ways.
and a foundation that will not be shaken.
My Father
Mine
Yours
So many people - but so able.
Enough for all and each.
How great the Father's love.
How beautiful this salvation.
How Wonderful this Counselor.
Why do I seek any other?
And the glory.
the glory He deserves.
The glory we praise - as He requires -
is also for our good.
Giving Him glory -
spreading His glory is a command of love.
As we imitate and seek to replicate that glory-
that essence of perfect love-
in all our ways acknowledging Him, pointing to Him-
We benefit.
We receive love.
We are able to love.
Love grows and love spreads.
And His glory multiplies and fills the earth.
Because God works in multiplication.
He works where love will flow.
He pours into me, if I'm going to pour out.
If you read the stories -
He touches one for a chain reaction.
One life - changes a family.
One life - reaches a community.
One life - brings rescue for a nation.
One Life - Salvation for the whole world.
And my Father
helps me to mother
helps me to be a wife
helps me love
from the overflow of His great love
and it multiplies.
So, let's not focus on how to divide - our time and such.
Just make Jesus and His love the priority.
Then watch it all
Multiply
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habukkuk 2:14
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
---Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:1-2,15-16
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:11
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
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