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Not long ago, I started the day in a quiet house (the kids had stayed at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and the husband was not yet stirring). I sat down to a simple breakfast and started to say grace. What started off as a simple prayer of thanks for my food turned into a conversation with God. I thanked Him for my amazing husband and wonderful children. I thanked Him for all of the blessings that He has given to me, knowing that I don’t deserve any of it. He reminded me of where I once was, and I reflected on how I got where I am today.
I asked for forgiveness, yet again (though once was enough for God), for the time that I wasted in my early twenties. By the world’s standards I was doing okay, but by God’s standards, I was a mess. Even though I was saved, my church attendance became sparse, I rarely opened my Bible, and wasn’t really giving any thought to what God thought about my life.
During all this time though, God was still thinking of me. Waiting for me. Lovingly. Patiently. Longingly. He was whispering to me words that I don’t think I consciously heard at first. I started reading my Bible again. I got back into church again. I quietly began serving Him. I started putting my focus back on things above. Not long after that, I met and married my husband. A year after that, our son was born. Not quite two years after that, our daughter was born.
Yes, there have been trials, tribulations and difficulties. But wound through it all…oh, the blessings! During my prayer, I thanked God for all of these blessings. For all of the things that I do not deserve. Starting with Jesus dying on the cross to take the punishment for my sins. For loving me when I wasn’t even thinking about Him.
After my prayer, I opened my devotional book and then read the verses that went along with that day’s devotion. As always, God’s timing is perfect. These are the verses I needed to read:
“Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” ~ Psalm 73:21-26
No matter where you are in your life, God is waiting for you. If you are not saved, He is waiting for you to take that step. If you are saved, He is there, lifting you up. If you are not living for Him, He is waiting for you to seek Him out. No matter how close your relationship is with God, there is always one step closer that YOU can take. He is already there. Loving you.