Have you ever craved an extra kiss of kindness from your Heavenly Father? God recently reminded me that we’re always welcome to fall into His arms of grace when we feel like we’ve lost our place in His plans for us.
I woke one morning and realized I was drifting away from my regular routine of drinking deep drafts of God’s Word. It wasn’t that I wasn’t drinking at all—I was only sipping. What I love to do is dip so deep that I’m drenched with joy. But the Christmas season makes it more challenging to spend concentrated time in the Word. And that’s kind of sad that the celebration of Joy to the World can turn our world, and our joy, upside down, especially if you already have a heap of craziness on your cracked plate.
A Reminder
But God reminded me of something about His character when I read:
Love is patient, love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Yet, that’s all I felt inspired to write in my journal that morning.
I read my Bible, I briefly prayed for His will to be done, and then I grabbed a bite out of a devotional book because I had a feeling, I needed a little extra nourishment for my waning spirit. And as sure as God is always enough, He met me in the pages of Rooted in God’s Love: Meditations on Biblical Texts for People in Recovery by Dale and Juanita Ryan.
Here’s the verse-of-the-day written on the top of that day’s devotional offering that I spotted, inhaled, and feasted upon:
I led them with cords of human kindness,
With ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck
And bent down to feed them.
Hosea 11:4 NIV
What a Good Shepherd He is to feed us just what we need to hear when our hearts ache to be held close to His.
The meditation went on to remind us God doesn’t use a heavy hand to guide us. He leads with kindness, with love.
I don’t know if you needed this, but I sure did. I hope this post blesses you so you can continue bravely facing whatever this season, and the New Year, brings, one day at a time.
I hope this blog post:
- hugged you with His hope
- lassoed you with His love
- cradled you with His comfort
- kissed you with His kindness
Inspired
By the way, the next day I was able to pen seven pages in my journal, type 700 words on my laptop for a podcast, and write the rough draft for this blog post after having dived into His Word for longer than I have in weeks.
Here’s one of the poems I wrote the day after He kissed me with His kindness:
When I sought the Lord’s comfort
He met me in the storm
And kissed me with His kindness
Until my heart was warmed
When I sought the Lord’s comfort
He met me in the rain
And hugged me with His hope
Until my heart was whole again.
~ wlm
I’m nosy-to-know which Bible verse has recently encouraged you?
Blessings of His Kindness ~ Wendy Mac
Merry Christmas, dear friends!
P. S.
I shared a Christmas memory about when a comforting package arrived in the mail during a season of mourning: God with Us: Emmanuel
I also wrote about how and why I discovered my favorite Christmas carol: My Favorite Christmas Carol
Thank you for this wonderfully comforting reminder. I, too, get sidetracked sometimes and find myself nibbling rather than feasting on His Word. Recently, the parable of the wheat and the tares encouraged me. The Lord showed me that I don’t need to be quick to judge lest I destroy what has been planted.
Thanks, dear Wendy, for your faithful work in sowing the Word of God into the hearts of many.
Merry Christmas ❤️
Thank you, dear Heidi. Yes, the parable of the wheat and the tares is a wonderful reminder we only see a snapshot of each story. I’m glad God overseers the entire timeline. This gives me hope for the seemingly hopeless situations I see.
Merry Christmas! <3
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season.
Thank you, Bill. 🙂 Christmas blessings to you and yours.
Merry Christmas dear Wendy and many Blessings to you in the New Year! ~ Rhonda
Thank you and blessings for 2020, dear Rhonda. <3
I certainly know that longing to draw deeper! My life is not often conducive to a
lot of traditional times to do such. Lately, my mind rests most on the story of Christ’s birth, as it usually does this time of year-the wonder and the humbleness of it all. It’s incredible to realize what He did for us! His love is indeed infinitely patient and kind! Thanks very much for the hope you bring here! May you and yours have a very blessed Christmas and a bright new year! ☺
Thank you, dear Marisa. Blessings to you and your beautiful family as you celebrate His birthday. <3 May your week be filled with treasured moments.
Wendy: Thank you for the reminder to feast on His word now, and always. I have been hugged with His hope. Christmas blessings to you and your family.
Thank you, Richard. Christmas blessings to you and Mary. May 2020 bring you continued opportunities to photograph and share God’s beautiful creation as you so wonderfully do.
Thank you – needed this today xx
Thank you. Blessings on your Christmas Eve. 🎄
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our GOD. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming The LORD is upright; he is my rock and there is no wickedness in Him. ~ Psalm 92:12-15 ~*~*~Merry Christmas, Wendy!
Thank you, dear Jane, for sharing such powerful verses from the Word.
Merry Christmas! 🙂
Thank you for the track-back, Matthew. 🙂
Such an encouraging post, Wendy. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Bill. Merry Christmas to you and Mary. 🙂
This post was very encouraging. I love your bird pictures too. Blessings.
Thank you, dear Kitty. Blessings for 2020. 🙂