Mama's Paycheck

Just when you begin to wonder if they even hear you, do they know you really love them and that's why you do what you do, or when they huff and puff day in and day out, week after week...don't they see how much you love them?

For me, it was like getting his paycheck for the year!! Cody is my creative child. He has always been so sweet hearted and loving to others, especially me, his Mommy. He's my Cody-Bear and always will be. I remember when he was so little and would bring me a flower from the yard every time he went outside to play. He went straight out to search for the flower and would go play once he delivered it to me. So sweet! I prayed nothing would ever rob his joy and compassion.

He would be the child who would make me a card with every color crayon he could mix in. It wasn't so much that he said Thank you or I love you...it was the time and energy he was gifting me. I noticed the extra effort and it meant a lot to me.

In these moments, I am soooo thankful for technology. It captures these precious times and forever remembers. Great news because my lack of memory cells would not and I never want to forget.

As we look at Valentine's I wonder if some of us have forgotten we are loved? Maybe someone has thrown a dart or maybe a bulldozer has plowed through your heart and it is broken, partially or completely. We try to patch them up and are forever scared by the wounds, but do you know that it doesn't mean that you will never experience love again or that you have become unlovable?

FRIEND, YOU ARE LOVED!!! Even if you don't feel loved, there is One who loves you unconditionally. It is not earned or based on your own efforts or works. God sent His Son to die for you. Through His love you can be healed. He is the great Physician and Counselor. We have all been hurt at one time in our life, physically and/or emotionally, but GOD LOVES YOU! He wants you to trust Him with your heart. Do not be afraid to give it to Him. He will NOT betray you.

Won't you give love another chance? Step out and faith and love with your heart again, not just with your mind, but love with your heart...

Love Yourself: I know...you are not perfect, none of us are!! You probably do not like part of yourself, I understand that!! I do! But we must get to a place that we can let go of the tight grip of protection around our hearts to begin to receive healing and love. If we understand we are loved despite our imperfections, that God loves us just how we are (doesn't love our sin, He loves us) then we can love our neighbors as ourselves. We can get past the shame be set free from condemnation.

Love Others: It is hard to love those who have hurt us, but as long as we hold onto the anger or bitterness, how can we forgive and begin to love them with the love God has even for them? Love our enemies...that will take extra measures of grace! Loving others takes trust and faith, not in yourself, but in God. It is through loving God that our love for others has an action to it. If it is not received, it is not you who they reject, it is God they are rejecting. We are simply messengers-don't shoot!!!!!

Love God: He is Holy, just, pure, lovely, kind, good, beautiful, worthy, just to name a few things His is. He is trustworthy when no one else is. He is loving even when we seem unlovable. God is faithful and will never abandon you. You were created in His perfect design for His perfect purpose. You are custom made and there is no one else called to the calling He has specifically laid out for you. He needs and desires for you to trust Him. It begins with knowing and accepting the fact that YOU ARE LOVED! Believe it, grab hold of it and live with the knowledge that the One leading you will not lead you astray, He will lead you only on the path which leads to Him. Trust Him!

This week, won't you examine your heart and look for those holes, the scars and ask the Great Physician to mend them for you. Your band-aids won't work. Get out of your head and get into your heart. Open it up, empty it out and be filled by Love Himself. May Love be a person and an action in your life beginning today!

Happy Valentine's Week! YOU ARE LOVED!!!!! Oh how He loves you!!!