Ive been sharing a lot (or a bit) lately on walls, tearing them down. About prayer and fasting. I often am then surprised when I read something that ties in completely with what I have been thinking about. I shared recently that I want to do a Bible study on 'Forgiving what you can't forget'. I may have even mentioned walls that I would like to break down as I shared that. Then I bought the book about the Jericho Fast, curious about what it was about. But today. I'm reading in my devotional .... and 'listen' to what it says.....
"I've come to knock down walls. The walls you have built around yourself shall crumble before me. The seemingly impossible situations that have wounded you and cuased you to barricade yourself in are nothing but paper to me. I can easily flick them away, if you'll invite me. With me, you don't have to fear being exposed or vulnerable. You don't have to fear being ashamed or embarrassed.
Though you've hidden behind this protective barrier, I desire to draw you out, to make you comfortable in your own skin. I want to teach you how to trust, how to love. I will knock down every wall and set you free. You don't have to hold it all together. You don't have to appear to be something you're not. And you don't need to protect yourself. Let me protect you. Let me heal you with the holy oil of my presence. I want you to walk in awareness of my presence, but I also want you to be aware of your own heart. Give yourself time to get to know yourself and to find the greatness of me inside of you. I want you to know the truth that extinguishes fear, to let my glory be your only enclosure."
See how much God knows me and knows my heart? This devotion really spoke to me this morning about the walls of protection I have built up to keep from being hurt again. See how much God loves me (and you) - so much that He will have these words in print years before I would ever read them. What do these words speak to you? To me, they confirm the path, the journey, I am putting myself on. I want to break down the walls. Do you?
I received a birthday card from my oldest son yesterday that made me cry. Well, not 'cry', but choke up as I read it aloud to hubby. I hope my children always know that I pray for them and want only God's best for them. But this card, this card, touched way down in the deep part of my heart. It will also go in my 'Treasure Box' of things I hold on to. What did it say?
"When you've got a great mom, you know - Her prayers are for you, Her thoughts are with you. Her heart shares your struggles and joys. And no matter what, her love stays with you wherever you go. (inside) I know what it's like to have a great mom, because I have the best. Love you, Mom."
Several of the words are in different fonts on the card so that they would stand out, but I wanted you to see what the words are. Sometimes I have wondered if they even care that I pray for them, that I want to pray them through their struggles and walk the journey of life with them. Then I get a card like this and I know that my prayers do matter. That I matter. And I am filled with joy, and with awe, that my God has answered prayers time and time again, and my children know it is by His hand the answers come. This card is one of my treasures, and my encouragement to never stop, never give up.
What about you? Where are you at today with your walls? Where are you at today with your prayers and your journey of life? Are you praying for your children, your grandchildren? Are you asking that a shield of protection be built up around them, that they will be filled with wisdom and strength for their journey in life? Do they know that you ask God to watch over them?
Today is Friday and I'm actually glad. I thought this would be a light week with my one boss being gone for two days .... but I have been busy every day this week with something. I did take off a couple hours yesterday and had an eye doctor appointment. This place is really good. Hubby went there last week and got new glasses and really praised the place. I called on Wednesday to schedule an appointment - they had a cancellation for Thursday so I took it. I've ordered new glasses ... and I decided to go ahead and order new sunglasses too. The sunglasses I have are over ten years old and the prescription just isn't strong enough anymore to where I can't even wear them. Yeah, my eyes have gotten older along with the body. It was nice for someone to help me choose which frame would be best for me. She took one look at my current frames (which I really dislike) and said 'those are too big for your face'. I have to rely on others to tell me if they fit my face..... I can't make that decision! So after trying on about 20 pairs of frames, I made the decision (with help) on which one I like. She's ordering in a smaller (lens size) frame and when it comes in I am to come back and check it out, and if it will work for me, they will use it for my glasses. If not, we'll stick with the one she has. My sunglasses I wasn't so concerned with as I wear them outside and the frames, altho not exactly what I wanted, will do. I wanted to use the frames I currently have - but again, they are over ten years old, shaky and scratched. It's time I let them go. She didn't have anything that even came close. Happy I have the premium insurance for vision - it would have cost me a lot more.... or I would have chosen a lot less so that I wouldn't spend as much.
Don't have much planned for the weekend other than church tomorrow night. Working on another Christmas gift but don't think I'll get it done this weekend. Baby blankets are smaller and so much easier to do. Movies will probably be on the agenda.
Have a great day.... choose wisely what you will do with your life. Tear down the walls and build the relationships.
Blessings!
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