Swept Away

In the midst of this messy dorm room, surrounded by dishes and leftover cake crumbs and scattered coffee mugs, in the midst of a to-do list that never got accomplished, have I ever felt more satisfied. The Lord is here. The presence of the Holy Spirit is in this place, and it is evident in the laughter that bounces off the walls and the sobs of brokenness that cry out for help. It is seen in the transformation of people’s lives and the renewal of weary spirits. It is the special mark of true fellowship, a band of sisters sharing life and learning and hoping and trusting the Lord and each other. It is the joy of my heart to look across the couch and see two of my sisters spurring each other on in love and encouragement. It’s tastier than the best meal. It’s more desirable than the most precious of possessions. It’s more relaxing than a good vacation or afternoon nap. It’s more serene than a peaceful pond on a foggy Sunday morning. It is Christ.


“And Jesus answered, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:41-42).

One thing. That’s all it is. Plop me in the desert. Ship me to Japan. Fly me to Broadway. All I need is the one thing. All I need is Jesus.

To sit at his feet captivated by the very words He speaks. To discover the inflections of His voice and the lessons from His life. To question and ponder and grow. To be broken and to be restored to wholeness again. To be dead and revived to life. To worship with a humble heart and a reverent posture. To hear, really hear the Lord.

“One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord,
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Happy Birthday to Me

The countdown is on.  This time, it's not for my birthday to begin, but for it to come to an end.  This year I am 21.  That feels so weird to say.  I feel like a little girl trapped in a young woman's body, like I'm really supposed to be turning 12, not twenty-something.

All I have to say is "Wow, God.  You blow me away."  This whole day I have been completely overwhelmed by the words of encouragement and simple birthday wishes and love that everyone has blessed me with.  From 12 AM last night until late this evening, my phone's been ringing off the hook with phone calls, texts, and Facebook notifications.

Each year is just another reminder of how truly blessed I am to be surrounded by so many people I am fortunate to call my friends and family.  That's the best birthday gift I could ever have, and I'm not being cliche about that.

God so happened to place a part of Psalm 139 (my favorite Psalm) in my devotion this morning.  What a way to start off the day!  He surely knew how that would tickle me... He does know our heart's desires, after all : )

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." 

Isn't that beautiful?  I love knowing that my Creator was a part of forming the intricate details of who I am.  Nothing about me is a mistake.  Not my height.  Not my width (haha ; ). Not my curly hair.  Or my flat feet.  He knew what I would be, before I even was.  And He loved me even then.  And He loves me even now. 

I think the word picture in verse 13 is breathtaking- "You covered me in my mother's womb."  I just get this vision of Christ encircling me with His arms, holding me, just as a momma does when she rocks her newborn.  Can you see Him examining the tiny fingers and toes?  Can you hear Him whisper His sweet love?  Can you picture the deep sigh He takes when He says, "This is good"? 

And David says right after, "I will praise You." 

You see, God delights in His creation.  He loves me and He loves you, with a love that we will never understand.  He loves to love, regardless of our devotion to Him.  Crazy, I know.  But, when we recognize that love, the response is immediate worship and adoration.  When we get a grip of God's passion for us, we can't help but return the emotion.  When I recognize that Christ covered me, even when I was in the process of being formed, I realize that there's nothing I can do to earn His love.  I realize that, just as He's held me from the beginning, He will continue to hold me for the rest of my days.  He's just that good.  And I'm just that blessed.  Happy birthday to me : )