Friday, November 4, 2011

The embrace of all embraces

Generally, people seem to take a lot for granted. I know I certainly do. Recently, through a friend, the Lord reminded me that I keep taking the most important thing for granted. Him.

When I'm down or annoyed with myself, or my self-esteem is blazing with doubt, I know automatically to look at Jesus and see myself through His eyes. Automatically, my mind tells me 'He thinks I'm beautiful. He created me in His image. Etc, etc, etc.' But lately, He's been showing me that I'm missing the mark. Yes, I know all those things in my mind. I know all the 'right' answers. But do I really know it? Like, really know it?

Heart knowledge is so completely different than head knowledge, I've been learning. I was brought up in church. I always knew the answers in Sunday school and the right thing to say. But I really didn't know much of anything. A person, I believe, doesn't really know the "right answers" until they've experienced God.

I've been taking Him for granted. And because of that, I keep missing out on experiencing Him.

He hugs us each and every day of our lives. No, it may not be in the showy, grand, explosive way we're expecting/desiring. But, from what I've seen, it's perfect. Simple. Overwhelming. Breathtaking. So perfect.

I used to be an avid reader. I don't have as much time to read anymore, but Louisa May Alcott has always been one of my favorite authors. A few years ago, I was in a book store and exploring the section where her books are. I found one I didn't own, but, me being a cheapo, decided $7 was too much ;P. I went back a week later to see it on clearance for $3. Again, I decided it wasn't worth it. The next week, I wandered once again to the clearance section. Amazingly, it was still there. Even more amazingly, it was only $1. My heart screamed. You know that moment when you feel overwhelmed with feeling loved and cherished? You look around to see if anyone notices the dorky grin spread across your face? Yeah. That was me haha.

Over a book, you might say? Yes. Immediately, I knew that was a God hug. Him whispering 'I love you, my darling. I just wanted to remind you today.' He knows our desires and our hearts better than anyone. He knows what makes me smile and laugh. He know exactly how to make me feel like the most special and adored girl on earth.

He gives hugs and reminds us of His love everyday. It's so easy to take it for granted though and ignore. Being a receiver can be easier said than done. Receiving such love and such passion for ourselves is overwhelming. At least for me it is.

I've been trying to recognize and accept His hugs. To not take for granted the kind word of someone. The encouragement of a stranger. The book on sale. To remember that I am His beloved and He's loving on me every moment of everyday.

So next time someone compliments you, or something random makes you smile, etc., try to remember.......He's embracing you in His love.

6 comments:

  1. I love this, Courtney! I stumbled it and gave it a +1. I am terrible about receiving compliments and my husband gets so upset about it. I know it in my head, but you are so right about heart knowledge!! Thanks for the reminder!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin
    www.mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com

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  2. Wow! So grateful Erin "Stumbled Upon" and liked this post! Thank you for being honest and inspiring us to do likewise.

    Big ol' blessings to you!!! :-)

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  3. Thankful that my friend, Erin, sent me this page. I am now your newest follower and look forward to the new insights you will bring. Love your story about the book. Isn't that just like God to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.

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  4. Thank you Erin for sharing my blog with people! I really appreciate that :). It's such an encouragement to know that this blog is an encouragement for people and that the Lord is using it. That was my main reason for starting it :)

    Thank you Angie and Shannon! Your comments are very sweet :)And yes Shannon, He constantly blows my mind haha

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  5. This is fantastic! I love how you call them "God Hugs!" That's great! There are definitely moments when I know that God was right there... like just a couple of days ago when my son somehow got a hold of a pair of scissors and poked my daughter under her eye with them. He was joking, and didn't mean to actually poke her, but his aim was off and he cut her under her eye.

    This was on my husband's watch... I was doing laundry, and I heard my husband start hollering, "No!! Nooooo!!!" I came running upstairs and heard him say that he almost poked our daughter's eye out with a pair of scissors. Our daughter actually had a cut about a half inch below her eye where the scissors had caught her.

    I immediately uttered a little "Thank You" to God right at that moment... I was so thankful that the scissors hit where they did and not a half inch higher. It could have been so much worse.

    Having two accident-prone children reminds me frequently of just how close we would come to disaster without His loving hand in our lives every day.

    Erin shared your blog with me, and I'm so glad she did! I'm a new follower!

    I write a humor blog about all things motherhood, and I'd love for you to drop by sometime! Have a wonderful weekend, and I wish you all the best in the new year!

    Blessings, Jenn @Misadventures in Motherhood

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  6. Just so you know, I have actually switched to wordpress!! Here is the link to my new location :) Be sure to follow that one!!
    http://mereponderizations.wordpress.com/

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