My Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for joining me today. You are an amazing and incredible blessing to me, more than my silly little words could ever fully express. I felt compelled to set aside the blog posts of messages learned and just write to you as if I was penning a letter directly to you.

Treasured Reader, your life touches more people than you will ever realize.  You leave indelible impressions upon peoples’ hearts that go deeper than you can comprehend.  I know this because on each occasion that you choose to share your time with me reading my words, you bless me so greatly.  Without you, I could not be a writer.  It takes two halves to make a whole.

I am so grateful to be able to share what little I have with you.  It brings me such joy to know that when I write about my struggles, or circumstances, or the lessons I am pondering, there is the opportunity to reach out to the heart of another.  Thank you so much for partaking in this journey with me.

You are a beautiful treasure and a precious gift!

I know there are many thoughts and circumstances that can make us feel ugly, insecure, and worthless.  I struggle with those things myself on a daily basis.  If I told you out loud some of the fears and doubts that I wrestle with internally, you may even laugh out loud at their absurdity.  It is often easier to speak truth into the worries of others than it is to take our own feelings and thoughts captive.

I greatly value your feedback and comments.  I am often left in absolute awe of what God can do through us, without our knowing in advance what He is up to.   The Lord is so amazing and incredible.  Through His love for us, He weaves us together with His golden thread of grace bringing goodness into our lives.

“Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

There are so many things going on in the world that feel as if they may consume us, devour us, expend us, use us up, and destroy us.  Violent acts that we hear about both on the news and in our neighborhoods.  Abuse and neglect.  A language of words that tears to the center of our hearts.  Striving to find worldly success, more quickly, with fewer resources, and at lower cost.  Wanting to feel valued in the eyes of others, but always falling short of their lasting approval.

What is going on in your life right now, in your current circumstances, that feels as if it may consume you or leave you completely burnt out? 

Whatever that may be, you are not alone in it.  The Lord is with you.  Not only is He present, He brings with Him a perfect love for you.  Just as you are right now in this moment.  Arms open wide, welcoming you in with joy and compassion.  Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).

Isn’t it a great blessing that love keeps no record of wrongs?  We should rejoice in that rather than allowing the mistakes of our past to enslave us and take captive our present along with our future.  God’s love for us is that big and that incredible.

When we are covered with God’s love, we can cover others with love as well.

“Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

The hard part is that we have to receive to be enabled to give.  It is my great hope that each day I become a better receiver and in the process become a better giver as well.  I wish so deeply in my heart that I could receive God’s love in such a way that it would flow like a gentle stream into my words winding through the world and finding its way to your heart, my dear reader.  I pray that when it gets there it would refresh your spirit and bring you encouragement.

I hope my words are like a great big hug to you, holding you tight, offering you comfort, and sharing a smile with you.  You are a treasure to me, my beloved reader.  I cherish the opportunity to share life with you.

May your day have some PEP to UPlift you and bring you Joy.

Treasured Lord,

Thank You so much for each of my readers!  Thank You for the generous opportunity that You have given me to connect with them.  I praise You for the way each one of them was fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank You for the care, compassion and love that You poured into hand crafting them.  

Lord please pour Your endless mercy, compassion, and love over each of my readers in endless abundance.  Cover them in such a way that they are not consumed by the circumstances of their lives.  Lord, heal what is broken, give hope with there is fear, provide faith where there is uncertainty, and cover every sin (our own & that of others) with Your love.  

Lord, show us a path of forgiveness and reconciliation, bringing together what has been torn apart.  Help us to follow Your love in keeping no record of wrongs, but to move forward under Your protection and Your provision in a way deeply honoring to You.  

Lord, because of Your delight and great goodness, I ask that each of my readers be blessed today with smiles, sunshine, and sprinkles of joy that cross their paths’ unexpectedly bringing them a rich gladness in their hearts.  

May all these prayers be covered by the love of Jesus, amen.