You are love, appreciated, and cared for you more than you know!!!

There are only a limited number things we can observe, inquiries we can make, and information that we can take in. Our lives, and the impact of our lives reaches WAY beyond the scope of our limits.

I was writing some cards out the other day to send a little love to a few individuals. It made me wonder, have I been doing an adequate job of expressing to people how much they mean to me? I can get so caught up in my daily responsibilities and tasks, and my self seeking desires, that I neglect to acknowledge and appreciate what others give me so generously.

Even when I give the best of what I have, there’s no way I can FULLY express to EVERYONE who is in my life what they mean to me. There are not enough hours in the day. Even as a wordy person, there are not nearly enough words. But, am I being fully faithful with what I have?

There are so many incredible people in my life in this moment. There are many more that I am not actively connected to right now, but who I still cherish in my heart because they have made an incredible difference in my life throughout my years.

And that’s before counting those who I don’t even know, but who have brought me great out of the blue delight. Like the guy who was sporting big headphones and singing through the freezer section of the grocery store – that dude made my day!

A crazy interaction which began as need for frozen veggies brought me some sweet delight. Because I didn’t want to interrupt him or throw off his groove, I just enjoyed the moment. I’m still smiling over it. Who knows if we’ll ever encounter each other again? Either way I am grateful for the joy shared.

Do I share JOY like that?

Do people walk away from me feeling encouraged, uplifted, and generally better about their day? Or am I someone that others wished they hadn’t run into? Do I bring smiles? Or do I bring groans of annoyance that drive one into avoidance mode?

Because my mission in life is to encourage with love, passion, and enthusiasm, I would love to say that people leave my presence being better off. But, truthfully, I am both. I have caused some serious harm and hurt to others, and frustrated many more. I fail daily at living out my mission, some days are worse than others.

At times, I feel horribly insecure and wonder if anyone loves or appreciates me at all. That’s like the black hole of emotions, all consuming and empty. Then comparison acts as an insecurity multiplier making things feel even more dismal. This taxes my time, my thoughts, and my thanks. It’s awful!

Especially since I KNOW that my life has value and meaning. I KNOW that I am loved and appreciated. And my knowledge is so limited, so finite.

Imagine what I don’t know, now that is infinite!

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” Romans 11:33-36

Release, and feel the endlessness of God.

Everything that is MORE than we know is fully known by the Lord. Everything we store up with Him is eternally preserved.

This morning I put an elephant stamp on an envelope and thanked God for my sweet friend Judee, who blessed me with the stamps for my birthday. I asked the Lord to bless the friend who is grieving who will be the recipient of the envelope.

I smiled as I sipped my coffee from favorite mug that Steph gave me, as I realized that 12 years of wear & tear is showing up as faded text on this cup. It reminded me of all she has been through in those years, yet she has faith that helps her persevere with kindness. I asked God to be extra good to her today.

I prayed protection for my family members as they headed into their days and drove away. I thanked God for the beautiful sunlight, and asked for the opportunity to bask in it a bit today. I prayed protection for time scheduled with a friend who I miss, so we can reconnect.

These are little thoughts, little prayers, on a little part of one day. None of this is known to any of these people, but it is fully known by the Lord. He is the ONE who can do MORE than I know or realize or can even imagine. God can work in each of these requests in mighty ways. I don’t even have a clue what He will do in their lives today or the days to come.

The Lord is doing so much more than you know. He is working in all areas of your life in ways that you can’t even imagine. Even in hindsight, we can not fully understand or recognize the methods God uses.

There are people who smile simply because you smile. There are those who receive relief because you were just doing your job. There are individuals who were helped because you held out a hand. There were needs met because you gave generously. Someone who was feeling torn down was built up by the conversation you shared. Another had their loneliness lessened because you made a point to visit or call. Your love lightened dark areas and drove out fears. Your work planted seeds, nourished sprouts, strengthened roots, and harvested fruit.

All of which made and is making a greater impact than you realize.

If you happen to be feeling down or distraught or depressed or insecure or plagued by comparison, may I be a reminder to you today. You are a beautiful treasure! You are a precious gift! You are loved for who you are, and not just for what you do. I count myself among those who are giving thanks for you.

I hope you breathe out and RELEASE. Then breathe in deep new life and peace and joy and hope because the Lord loves you MORE than you know. He is working in your life, creating opportunities, developing relationships, honing skills, and preparing provisions for you and for those that you love.

PRAYER

Beloved Lord,

Thank You very much for each of these incredible individuals who willingly give of their time to share in what I write. They more of an encouragement to me than they realize. Lord, I ask that You would pour out goodness into their days today. Give them strength, hope, peace, love, and barrels of joy to refresh them in their journeys.

Lord, please help us all to listen attentively to You, so that we would know when to pause & when to pursue, when to wait & when to work, and when to rest & when to reach out. May we be quick to recall how good You are and how we have seen You work in our lives. May we share our transformations and our testimonies with others.

May we distribute joy through our prayers, our thanks, and the encouragement we pour out to those in our spheres of influence. May we not hold back but give of what we have been called to even if it doesn’t seem like much, because what You can do with our offerings, Lord, is so much MORE than we can imagine. Help us to release and take in a foretaste of Your endlessness.

Thank You for all that You do, Lord! Thank You for who You are! Thank You for who You are for us! In the eternal goodness of Jesus’ name, amen