Make perfect sense.  When Jason said something about God “wooing us” at lunch yesterday, he had no clue that you had put that word, YOUR word, on my heart Friday. Well, not until the instant sob-fest on my part was explained.  Once again, 48 hours later, you take an odd detail and press it in my heart.  You are wooing us, indeed!

Thank you, Lord, for taking me to Psalms 144-145 and the study notes so early this Monday morning.   You knew I needed to hear directly from you.  Three straight days of singing such loud praise and pouring out love to so many people was quite possibly the most bold thing I have ever done in my life.  No doubt, it was the most rewarding and exhausting, as well. Please continue to teach me, guide me and lead me closer to you so that I may fulfill my purpose according to your will for me.  I ask you share the fire you have put in my heart with our congregation so that we may be stronger together than on our own.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.

The pain my body has been in and the lack of sleep which ensued likely made me an extra easy target for the enemy.  Admittedly, I already felt like “that girl who could not stop yapping about the boy she was in love with after one date”.  It is the closest comparison to what the enemy was whispering to me.  I know we have had hundreds of dates and I am married to you, Lord, in the spiritual sense.  But, that’s the enemy, right?  He started by telling me that I had failed my husband on this earth.  I am still battling that echo.  The enemy continued to build his case against me with his ridiculous propaganda.  The evil snake tells me I am not good enough to be their mother, His daughter, her new friend, his sister in Christ, to love others the right way or to bring His children home to Him . He whispers bad feelings into your heart and tells you that the countless praise exchanges for your King of Kings shouldn’t happen in bathrooms, parking lots or your business.  He tries to convince me that perhaps I am closer to qualifying for a mental ward than I could ever get to you, Jesus.  But I know the enemy is a big, fat liar.  I know because you have taught me, shown me, encouraged me and softened my heart while strengthening my spirit.

Thank you, God, for showing me the proverbial dragon, equipping me to drag those little snake butts into your light and giving me the tools to cut off their serpent heads with beady little eyes.  Thank you for helping me slay them, one by one.    I know they are chasing me only because I am chasing you.  I will contend for the faith as you have directed until my death.  I love you and rebuke their evil schemes against me with the power in the blood and in the name of Jesus Christ.  

The conversations you fueled at church yesterday were so beautiful. Thank you for the time with Rhonda, Alice, Tammy and Megan.  Thank you for lunch conversation with Angela and Terri, too.   You took the bulk of my physical pain away for almost two hours.  Then, last night, you showed off for me again.  I so love it when you do it!!! As I told the Ford’s in the parking lot, I should not be surprised you speak to me.  Although he is coming from a place of “precision”, I believe you have shown me clearly to come from a place of the heart. I believe as much as you want us to know your Holy Word, your biggest desire is that we live it and demonstrate your love for us to others.   I do believe your people of today are like the people of Paul’s time; different audiences need different approaches.  The way they almost cried when you doubled their portion by using me to share Isaiah 61:6-7 was humbling.  Their very real need is one you put in my heart to fill.  Once again, Grace wins through obedience.   I love that my husband understood the 45 minute delay and that you, Lord,  were absolutely using me for your purpose.

After being out of town, Mark and I spent three hours Saturday night talking about all you had done Friday and Saturday.  It took two hours to even get to the near miracle with my mother.  I cried just before we went to sleep, as the pain was quite bad.  I told him how terrible I felt because in the business of being obedient to you, I failed to get him an official birthday card to go with the virtual love fest I sent him.  We had already talked about not doing a birthday gift because of his trip with Paul to St. Louis coming up.  Still, I always have his birthday planned out and a gift;  it felt like I fell short.  He assured me I did not; I still feel that echo.  Then, our entire Sunday was spent talking about you.  We always talked about you in the past, but not to this extreme.

Please, Father God, I ask you place the depth of my love for my husband on his heart.  I love him so much that I push the envelope and share my love for you with him.  I know he loves you, too, Lord.  Thank you for letting us encourage each other and for giving me a husband who can always teach me more about you.  I ask that you place my love for him on his heart so that he never doubts how much YOU love him. 

After the past 72 hours, you knew I needed a good dose of spirit to refuel my heart.  Like any good father, you reached out to me with a warm hug this morning to comfort me in Psalms.  Just as I speak softly to my children when I awaken them, you spoke to me. ” Sweet child, I hugged you yesterday, I will hold your hand and wipe your tears today.  I promise you, this bond can not be severed.  I love you.  ”  Then, he asked me to trust him and share the message with everyone who could potentially hear my voice.  He called me to be super bold, before 5 am, without coffee.  Being obedient isn’t always comfortable:

You did  allow me to rest deeply afterward, until brother Craig rang our doorbell.  Groggy and still no coffee, we had an amazing 2.5 hour conversation about scripture and spirit.  More fuel.  Thank you, Lord.