The Greatest Love Story

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – (John 3:16, HCSB)

Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. – (John 3:16, ERV)

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. – (John 3:16, VOICE)

In this season of fixation on love, it seems only appropriate to recognize and celebrate the greatest love of all. God loved creation so much that He gave His Son to restore what had been lost, and to make the way for all who receive it, to have life everlasting with Him. We have all been hand-crafted, designed to love and be loved. The unique design placed within each of us grants us the capacity to love well. This love is not limited to romantic love, but rather it equips and empowers us to love all. From our parents, to siblings, to children, family, friends and a significant other, God gives us all that we need to love well. It is up to us to receive all that He offers so that we might truly know His love and then go and love likewise, all those whom He has placed in our lives. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to love well, and give Him all praise for His loving ways each day that we draw breath.

The greatest love story,

That’s ever been told;

The gift of a Savior,

To have and to hold.

It is through the knowing,

Receiving of grace;

That we too can love well,

As we seek His face.

God places in our lives,

People we’re to love;

All whom He created,

Purposed from above.

So seek Him to love well,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Receive all He gives;

In Christ we’re empowered,

To love as we live.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your One and only Son to make the way for us to be in a loving relationship with You and equipped to love others as You do. Thank You that Your love gives us hope and help, life and love that last forever. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved as You intended, and for when we neglect to receive what You freely and lovingly offer. Teach us to trust in Your everlasting goodness and grace as You continually show us Your loving ways. Lead us to love all those around us as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive the incredible gift of Your love and trust You to lead us to love all those around us well. Amen.

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

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. – Psalm 5:11

Trust and Do Good

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. – (Psalm 37:3, NIV)

So trust in the Lord and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. – (Psalm 37:3, ERV)

Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in His eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on His faithfulness. – (Psalm 37:3, TPT)

Our charge is to trust in the Lord and do what is right before Him. A decision to trust and do good is not dependent on our circumstances, surroundings, nor governing bodies; it is entirely up to us to choose, regardless of these things. It was true for the last four years, and remains true for the next. Politics should not and cannot determine our own decision to trust and do good. When we choose hope, there is peace in our hearts and our homes, and we discover the depth and breadth of God’s faithfulness. Incredibly, this seems to be what I am seeing in people, as there is this pending change in the air. People on both sides are proclaiming their intention to do exactly what David reminds us to do in this Psalm. This perceived gentleness grants me hope in the humanity of those around me. God is my ultimate hope; but it is good to see people pursuing trust and the goodness of God, rather than clinging to frustration or elation at an outcome. None of us know what the future holds, yet we know Who holds the future. May we be intentional to keep trusting the Lord and do what is right in His eyes, for He is our security and His faithfulness never ends.

For the Lord is good,

In Him, we can trust;

Reach out and be kind,

For peace, it’s a must.

We each have been called,

To love and do good;

To treat each other,

As family should.

When we each intend,

To do what is right;

God’s faithful to us,

For we’re His delight.

So, rise up in peace,

Choose trust and do good;

Live and love like Christ,

Make hope understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to trust You and do good. Thank You that our hope, security and safety come from You. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed anyone or anything to disrupt our trust and neglect to do what is good before You. Show us how to love and do good as You call us to, and remind us anew of Your great faithfulness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and do the good that You call us to do. May Your hope and security be clear to all, through our reliance in You. Amen.

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

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Make Our Path Plain

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what He wants, and He will help you go the right way. – (Proverbs 3:5-6, ERV)

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go. – (Proverbs 3:5-6, TPT)

 

I am in territory where the only choice I have is trust. Without a medical background, and only knowing a strong, vibrant and healthy mom, this new normal leaves me in a space of dependency on God that I have not known before. For myself and my children, I have been here, but for my mom? Oh Jesus, why? This has been the resounding question that I have had to battle over and over again. Why her? My mom is the kindest, most generous, most loving human on the planet. She loves with her whole heart, and everyone who meets her, considers her a friend. We have had to turn people away at the hospital, again and again, as my sister and I (together prayerfully, with input from mom) determined that visitors beyond immediate family or those whom were on the direct contact list, would need to wait, as too many too soon are overwhelming in this space of her healing. (That being said, encouraging notes bless her very much.) In the coming days, my sister and I will have to find and decide which acute care facility will be the best fit for mom (with her input of course), either near Meg in Albany, or near me in Federal Way. Either way, there is much to prayerfully consider. We need the Lord to lead us and direct our steps. Our opinions matter far less than His, and we need clear guidance as to which space will best bring restoration to Mom, and provide the level of care that she would give to anyone who enters her home. For those who have ever set foot in her house, you know exactly the sort of loving hospitality she deserves. God has shown Himself trustworthy over and over again in my life, so here I stand, choosing to trust for my mom. Please join us in contending for her full healing, and for the very best placement for her – a space where she feels loved and valued, encouraged and known; a care facility where she will thrive and heal quickly and completely, that is located very near to either my sister or myself.

 

To trust in the Lord,

We place in His hands;

All that is heavy,

For He understands.

God already knows,

The road that is best;

It is up to us,

To seek Him, invest.

For God is faithful,

He always is near;

He’ll never leave us,

Our heart, He shall hear.

So, give all to Him,

Seek His loving grace;

He’ll make the path plain,

As we seek His face.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us more than we can even fathom, and You are ready to show us the way that we are meant to go in all things. Thank You that we can trust You, even with the things that are beyond our understanding. Forgive us for our frustration and confusion in the unknowns in uncharted territory. Thank You for the grace that You give and for the those that You place around us to make Your loving kindness tangible. Show us which way to go, O God. Make the path plain for my Mom. Heal her completely. Restore every synapse connection that was broken and restore full movement to her right side. God, You are far greater than anything that comes against our bodies. We trust You to heal our mom. Show us how to best get her to the place for You to work in and through her, as You have created her to be a witness of Your love and grace, even in this. Be glorified in this nightmare O God, and lead many unto a lasting relationship with You. We praise You for Your faithfulness to us, and choose to trust You again today to make our path plain as You lead us. Amen.

 

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

 

Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10