Got a Minute for God?

Last night, my husband Steve was describing a marble stone carving he's making for me of both of our hands. It's called "Loving Hands." Almost every day he drives his old Buick wagon to our boat yard in Florida and sets up a folding ladder and sandbags, lays out his stone carving tools, puts on a mask and begins six to seven hours of delicate work. As the hands begin to emerge from the marble, each finger is fragile under the gentle pressure of his grinding tool. His biggest fear is marring the whole piece with one slip. After hundreds of hours of work over several years , just describing the nearly finished piece brings tears to his eyes. Have I ever received such a love gift? Will I know how to respond when he unveils it? (He's not allowed me to see it for the past several months.) I went to sleep last night asking God for deeper understanding of Steve's love. I want him to know just how loved I feel that he would create such a beautiful gift for me.

Then the obvious hit me. Not only has God created the whole world as a love gift for you and me, He's fashioned each one of us and placed us in it. (See Psalm 139) Imagine the love involved in that creation! As if that weren't enough, God loved us so much that He gave His own Son to live and die in our place, so we would live forever with Him in eternity. Once Christ comes into our life, God begins to mold us into Christ's image, and that takes a lot of chipping, grinding, and polishing. But you and I are worth it. Like Steve's sculpture, you and I are a new creation in Christ Jesus. God is showing the world how much He loves us through the emerging image of Christ in our lives.
How do we respond to such gift? With gratefulness, returned love, and a heart that has learned to receive amazing love.
Are you feel long overdue for sensing God's reality in your life, why not look up? That's right. Just look up at the sky, the trees, the beauty around you. God made them all, just like He made you. And you are beautiful in His eyes, too, and highly valued.
Enjoy your day with a grateful heart.
Virelle

Got a Minute for God?

It's a good question to ask! My day today was filled with email, phone calls, business and personal errands, shopping, and no time at all for writing. Finding quiet time alone with God this morning was a challenge. My husband and I ended up reading a few devotionals and praying briefly in between phone calls. How about you? It's not usually like this, but as Ruth Bell Graham put it, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy!"

What's your day like today? Why not take a minute right now, only 60 seconds, and think about all God's goodness in your life. Has He given you a fresh start, protected you or someone you love from serious illness (My husband had a major heart attack about 18 months ago and is perfectly well today.), taken you through difficult financial times, or discouragement? Why not thank Him? Whatever you're facing right now, ask God for what you need. It's a great way to start over.
Blessings to you,
Virelle