Unfailing Love

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. – (Psalm 33:22, NIV)

Lord, we worship you, so show your great love for us. – (Psalm 33:22, ERV)

O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love, even now as we wait for You. – (Psalm 33:22, VOICE)

This weekend has been an opportunity to feel this well. My hope and my praise are in God, as He has blessed me with tangible evidence of His endless and unfailing love. Nearly fifty years of friendship and family, our sister retreat has been an incredible blessing of laughter and love. To know and be known is one of the ways that God gives us glimpses of Him through those around us. Connection in the comfort of a slowed pace with no agenda have provided a retreat and refreshment that each of us needed most. Sharing meals together with easy-flowing conversation, with comfort in silence and in chatter, my heart is full as we prepare to part ways a little later this morning. God’s goodness and love have been tangibly evident, from the sweet little space that we have stayed in, nestled neatly in the woods with the sounds of a creek flowing nearby, the rain rhythmically falling on the roof, and through the opportunity to gather and share life together with lifelong loved ones. May we ever worship the Lord, who is our hope, for all blessings flow from His heart of love.

O Lord, unto You,

May our praises flow;

As You are with us,

Wherever we go.

Your presence made known,

Through tangible love;

Each blessing poured out,

From You, up above.

Ever we thank You,

For love that You give;

Hope through each heartache,

Joy and strength we live.

For times to gather,

And truly feel known;

The blessings outpoured,

As Your love is shown.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are so good. Thank You that as we hope in You, You show us Your overwhelming and unending love. Thank You for the blessing of loved ones near and far, as You place people in our lives with purpose. Thank You for the gift of family and lifelong friendships, for each are evidence of Your goodness and love. Forgive us for neglecting the relationships that You have established. Help us to prioritize time with You and time together. Show us how to love one another well, in the same way that You love us all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as Your heart is made evident through goodness, hope and love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

Faithful Love That Lasts

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. – (Psalm 136:1, NIV)

Praise the Lord because He is good. His faithful love will last forever. – (Psalm 136:1, ERV)

Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. – (Psalm 136:1, MSG)

 

I am so thankful that there is time set aside to gather and give thanks together. The opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones is a tremendous blessing, and not one of us takes the privilege for granted. We are especially grateful this year, as we recognize that this season could have gone horribly different. God’s grace has been tangibly evident, as He spared mom’s life and walks us all along this journey of healing together. Though it is a long road, there is much joy in the journey. We laugh often, and appreciate every moment we have together, even more than we ever did before. There is a tender closeness now that runs far deeper than it did even last year at this time, and that is just one of the examples of beauty that God has brought from a difficult and devastating circumstance. Today, and always, we give thanks to God because He is good and His love never quits. May we ever look to the Lord with thanksgiving in our heart, recognizing that He is near, abounding in love.

As for mom specifically, she is very much looking forward to beginning more of her outpatient therapies on Monday. She is hopeful and determined, and it is good to see her gaining confidence in moving independently around the house with her walker. When we arrived late yesterday morning, it was mom who greeted us at the door! It was so good to see that she had been waiting nearby, at the ready to get up and walk to open the door upon our arrival! The family all enjoyed a wonderful meal together, time to visit and lounge, and then at last, our long-awaited tradition of family game night. After several rounds of a family favorite, we decided to mix it up, and Mark taught us all how to play Texas Hold ‘Em. It was an evening of much laughter and friendly competitions, as we have clearly raised a generation of intelligent young men, who seek to strategize and win. 😊 All thanks to God for His goodness that He has granted in the incredible gift of family, and the way that He makes His love tangible through each heart as we spend time together.

 

Give thanks to the Lord,

Last night’s line up for our family favorite game. ❤

For He’s always good;

Love that shall endure,

Through time has withstood.

His love will not quit,

It ever remains;

Filling and blessing,

As this love sustains.

With hearts overwhelmed,

Such goodness and love;

All thanks be to God,

Our Lord up above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of family and the time to gather together. Thank You for those who are with us, and those who gathered in other places. Be near us all. Forgive us for the times that we forget how very good You are, and how You love us through all things, no matter how they appear. Teach us to embrace every blessing and enjoy each precious gift that we are given in love. Show us how to love those around us in such a way that Your goodness and grace is made tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our thanks and praise for Your faithful love that lasts forever. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34