thoughts for a sunday evening...

It's been a challenging day.

I caught up with my friend Julie today. She and I normally chat at least once a week when I'm at home, and I'd missed her the last couple of weeks.

Considering we haven't seen eachother since I left Kentucky back in 98, and we went for a couple of years at being hopeless at keeping in touch, the last few years have been pretty solid.
When I said I don't have a cheerleader, I lied. I was in the midst of a serious pity party, and forgot about all the great people in my life - like miss julie, who is always there to kick my butt.

So, today was catch up day, and some butt kicking did take place. hehehe. But better than that, was the laughter. I laughed till my sides ached, as she told me stories about her nights out. Hillarious stuff! I can live vicariously through her, while she enjoys the social life that being a student hardly affords - especially with her killer schedule. Still... she's living.

Just before I talked to her, I had been reading a devotional and it had mentioned Isaiah 43 as being one of the most beautiful chapters in the bible. The guy went on to say that we needed to write it out on a card so that we could look at it during our days, that we would read it when we woke up each morning and again each night - working on believing what it was that God was saying.
So, of course I went to find it, and ended up liking this version best.

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. Your mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there for you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end - because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in.

That's how much you mean to me!

That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade creation just for you.
So don't be afraid: I'm with you!"
The Message

While I've read it several times, I hadn't read that version before. I think it's beautifully put, and something I needed to read today.

So... onto a piece of poster board that one goes... so that I have to stumble past it every day... onto a card so I can read it while I'm on the road.
Let it sink from my head to my heart, that I would have a full revelation of that absolute love.
Good thing I've got friends around to remind me, hold my head up when I'm beyond it, and that I'm always being held in the palm of an awesome Father's hand.


ps. sunflowers are my favourite! They were selling them on the side of the road as I left Nelson, and this one now sits next to my bed.... totally gorgeous!