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Compelled

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” -Ephesians 5:1-2

Christ-like love is hard to accept because it goes against what we know. It’s unconditional, unending, and undeserved. As Christ followers we’re suppose to love like Jesus. It’s not an option. If we want to be obedient to our Heavenly Father, the sacrificial love of Christ has to be mirrored in our lives.

This simple truth has been on my heart lately and God has shown me practical ways to put Christ’s love into action. Here are a few examples:

  • Cook dinner for friends
  • Buy someone’s cup of coffee
  • Give $5 to the homeless
  • Hold the door for someone
  • Say “Thank You”
  • Wish someone a good morning/afternoon/night
  • FORGIVE
  • If you see something that reminds you of someone, buy it for them!

I know some of these examples seem like common courtesies, but many have been lost in the hustle and bustle of chaotic schedules and selfish desires. I have fallen victim to overcommitment, but God, in all of His goodness, has shown me how to intentionally love His people. It’s incredible to see how your view of people drastically changes when you realize each and every person you pass is designed uniquely in God’s image for relationship with Him and will spend eternity in one of two places. God could have chosen to share His love however He wanted, but He chose me, and He chose YOU to be His hands and feet!

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Step out of your comfort zone and love like Jesus! Yes, you may get some funny looks, but that just proves you’re doing something right! In the world’s eyes it wasn’t logical for Christ to die on a cross 2,000 years ago for people who constantly turn away from Him. If we’re to mirror the Love shown at the cross why should our lives and our actions look logical? Be radical. Love unconditionally, expecting nothing in return!

Praying Christ’s love compels you to love!

Meredith

P.S. This was a wish I made towards the end of 2012. Let’s make it a reality!

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What Christmas Really Means

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

As we celebrate Christmas, I thought I’d share a story that my mom’s best friend shared with her. We get caught up in gift giving, decorating, and cooking and it can be easy to forget why we are celebrating – God made flesh through the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Enjoy!

Just last Christmas Eve I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened;

I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, I saw Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn’t cry out.

“What are you doing here…” I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my robe bewildered, Santa said, “We’ve done it all wrong. You need to teach the children.” My perplexed expression still showed in the near darkness.

Fumbling in his sack, he drew forth a bright shining gold star.

“Teach them the old meaning of Christmas – the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten. Teach the children that the star was a heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of that promise was the great Star of the East. The star now reminds us of God’s love for mankind and of God fulfilling His promise. The countless shining stars at night now show the burning hope of all mankind.

Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas ornament.

“Teach the children, red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Jesus Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God’s gift to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God.”

As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went right on.

“Teach the children,” he said as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree was perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas. “The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round,” he said. “This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind, and the everlasting life we can only get through His Son. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward – symbolic of man’s need to focus on heaven. The tree itself is a symbol of that other tree, the one that became a cross. The great, green tree has been one of man’s best friends. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture.”

Santa’s eyes were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago.

“Teach the children, that as the lost sheep are found by the sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return to the fold; it means guidance and return to God; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. He left the 99 and went in search of the one.”

As the soft sound of the bell faced into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced and weaved upon the walls.

“Teach the children,” whispered Santa, “that the candle shows man’s thanks for the star of long ago. It signifies the Light that shines within all God’s people. A light that should never be hidden. It’s flame seems very weak, but it chases away the darkness, just as the starts do. It’s small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on the Christmas Tree – they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in remembrance.”

Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, “Teach the children. A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as me should be tied – all of us together, with the bonds of good will and love toward each other. Goodwill forever is the message of the bow.”

Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag, Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.

“Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmastime. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper. The red represents the Blood of Salvation, and the white the Purity that only comes from it’s cleansing flow.

Santa them paused. He seemed to realize her should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction and relief showed in his face. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the fireplace and said, “Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of God’s love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors, It reminds us all of the things of Christmas. Please teach the children.”

As I gazed at the wreath, he slipped away, his job done…pointing people back to the real meaning behind this celebration.

I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight, as I saw and viewed all those symbols that night. I dozed as I sat in the soft candlelight, and my thoughts were of Jesus and all He made right. To give and to help, to love and to serve, are the best things of life, all men can deserve. Old Santa Claus that jolly fat little elf, is not the best symbol of Christmas itself. Jesus gave us the gift of love and of life, the ending of evil the ceasing of strife. Santa’s message to me on the pre-Christmas night, has opened a treasure of deepest insight. The one thing on earth we all ought to do, is the teaching of children the right and the true.

Merry Christmas! God Bless!

We of little faith

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been reading Kisses from Katie the past few weeks and I’m completely amazed at Katie’s faith, her heart for God’s people, and God’s power on display in Uganda. Below are some of my thoughts that were inspired by the book. Be blessed!

What if God gives us more than we can handle so that His glory is revealed and we are moved to rely on Him for EVERYTHING?

What if we stopped putting limits on a limitless God?

What if we were more bold in our faith and wholeheartedly believed God can and will do the impossible?

What if we prayed for God to completely overwhelm us with a task that is too great for us to complete and as a result we witnessed His glory unfold before us as the impossible became possible?

How much more would we trust God?

How many more lives would be changed for the better because we said “yes” when the odds were stacked against us and God provided what was needed?

As God’s people, aware of Christ’s victory at the cross, we still deny the power of His name. When we reach what seems to be our breaking point, that is when we’re reminded that we don’t have to be afraid because perfect love casts out ALL fear (1 John 4:18). God is love and He has promised us to never leave us or forsake us (1 John 4:8, Deuteronomy 31:6). When God promises something He keeps it. That doesn’t mean life is going to be rainbows and butterflies everyday, but it does mean that when we are at our wits end, God’s arms are wrapped tightly around us. Embrace the moments when you are given more than you can handle because in those moments you have to rely on Him more than you ever have before. In those moments, He is still holding you and His embrace is the most comforting and peaceful place we will EVER be.

A Game of Grace

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” – Psalm 103:8

An act of grace that I experience everyday, but often overlook, blind-sighted me this past week.

I’m a collegiate volleyball player with only a handful of matches left before I join the NARP (Non-Athletic Regular Person – no offense intended) life. I have played 122 games under the guidance of my coaches before realizing their forgiving and gracious nature that so closely mirrors that of Jesus (If you’re reading this, thank you for doing way more than what’s required. You both are awesome!).

My coaches are disciplined. If you wear the wrong shirt to practice, or wear it inside-out in some of my teammates’ cases, you run. If the team falls short of a goal, we run. If you forget your team notebook, also jokingly referred to as the volleyball bible, you run. If you forget to collect grade reports from your professors, you run. And the list goes on and on. We have rules that we are expected to follow, and when we fall short – and all of us have – we run. After completing the fun-time (don’t let the name fool you), egg, or suicide, the incident is forgotten and we move on.

I don’t know if you’re catching my drift, after all it took me almost four complete years to realize it, but that is a pretty darn good example of God’s grace. In the Old Testament we’re given rules to follow, but we cannot live up to the expectations of those rules. Knowing that we couldn’t walk in righteousness without a crutch, God sent His son to follow all the rules in flawless fashion. What a stud. After 33 perfect years, Jesus died a criminal’s death on a cross that WE deserved as sacrifice for all of our sins – past, present, and future. All we have to do is declare and BELIEVE Jesus is Lord and that He resurrected from the dead and our sins are graciously forgiven.

Although my coaches display grace and forgiveness, our debt for breaking the rules still has to be paid. Here’s where God’s grace becomes an absolute steal for Christ followers. While my coaches say do *insert consequence* when we mess up, Jesus says our mistakes have already been forgiven at the cross. We don’t have to pay back our wages of sin because “the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Yes, God wants us to realize our mistakes, but He doesn’t want us to dwell on them. He simply wants us to repent and believe.

Although our debt has been paid, that doesn’t mean we won’t sin. Just like I have forgotten to turn in grade reports and my team has failed to reach a goal, in our walks with Christ we will face bumps in the road. During those hard times, and the good times, we’re repeatedly given God’s grace through Jesus as a crutch to help us limp through the pearly gates onto the streets of gold.

I can’t praise God enough for the beautiful example of His grace displayed through my coaches. As thankful as I am for their presence in my life, I am eternally grateful for the grace shown at the cross.

Grace and Peace,

Meredith

“But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!”                       -Ephesians 2:4-5

Pencil Me In

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

“…Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:17

God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. He doesn’t call those who are able, but those who make themselves AVAILABLE! I have been reminded of these two thoughts over and over again as I’ve served. So often I catch myself thinking I’m not good enough to be used as a vessel to lead others to Christ, but that is a flat out LIE! I am capable, and so are you! The key is being available. If you offer up your time to serve wholeheartedly, God isn’t going to let you fail. He’s too good for that.

Lately, the idea of being available has pulled on my heartstrings. When you look at the lives of people in the Bible, they are always available to share the Good News we’ve also been blessed to hear. Take the apostle Paul for example:

“For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law – though I myself am not under the law – to win those under the law. To those outside the law, like one outside the law – not being outside God’s law, but under the law of Christ – to win those outside the law. To the weak, I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.” -1 Corinthians 9:19-22

Paul became whatever he needed to be in order to share the Gospel. Take a moment to think about where God has placed you to serve. Whether it be behind a desk, on the sidelines coaching, on the court/field playing a sport, in a classroom learning, etc. you’re there for a specific purpose. Our entire life goal is to make much of God and less of us (John 3:30). When you’re interacting with a coworker, teammate, or classmate, eternity is on the line and you have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through you to make an impact on that person’s life that completely changes the game (Stick that in your juice box and suck it Satan! – sorry, inner monologue…). You may be the only Jesus that person sees, live like that is a big deal! Are you willing to make yourself available in whatever environment you’ve been placed in?

In Romans 8:29 we’re told to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. Well guess what?! You guessed it – Jesus made himself available!

“While He was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also guests with Jesus and His disciples, because there were many who were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:15-17

Jesus was God in the flesh and the only righteous person to ever walk the earth. If we were capable of  walking in righteousness, He wouldn’t have needed to come to save us all (John 3:16). He dined with sinners because He knew they needed Him. That person you run into on a daily basis may need you to show them Jesus too. Even if they may not be the first person on your list to grab lunch or coffee with, make yourself available like Jesus and Paul did.

Living our day to day lives without making ourselves available to share Christ is like knowing the cure to cancer and keeping it to ourselves. We know the cure, its our time to share it! Be a nurse who relays the message from the doctor (Jesus) to the patient! You never know if the patient is pleading for you to pencil them in.

Your sister in Christ,

Meredith

 

“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with a boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” -Philippians 1:20

One Thing Remains

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

Some days don’t end the way you want them to. You try not to lose your patience, but rather than being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, you tune people out, interrupt, and yell back. Everyday we fall short of God’s glory, but His grace is never-ending. One thing will ALWAYS remain – His love. It never fails, it never gives up, and it never runs out me, you, or anyone else! God constantly amazes me with how He decides to speak. Today He reminded me His love is constant, just when I needed to hear it. Praise God!

Higher than the mountains that I faceStronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remainsOne thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

On and one and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains

In death and in life I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love

My debt is paid there’s nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

Pain is Temporary, Eternity is FOREVER!

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“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” -James 1:2-4

Jump-training. We have a love/hate relationship. I despise it in the moment, but I love the results that come from the pain of jumping what seems to be a million times over the course of six weeks. In the end, the 45-minute jump workout, three times a week, gets me in tip top form for volleyball season. The pain is temporary, but the results get me through the entire season.

During the first day of jump-training it hit me that I also have a love/hate relationship with spiritual trials. If I’m honest, in the moment I despise the trial. The stretching is painful, filled with tears, and often results in change. It often reveals and makes me admit my biggest flaws and deepest fears. Who really wants to lay down their pride and admit their failures? Not this girl!

As Christ followers, these trials are necessary and during them we are called to be different. As seen in James, we are called to be joyful during trying seasons because we know we are maturing in our faith so that one day (in Heaven) we will reach perfection. Sometimes, this is a tough pill to swallow, but we find strength in knowing our joy isn’t found in our trying circumstances. Our joy comes for our Christ. Looking back on the trials I’ve faced and overcome with the help of Christ, I’ve matured greatly to who I am today. There is still a lot of maturing left, but I can approach whatever trials that are to come knowing that pain is temporary, eternity is forever!

Don’t get lost in your circumstances, get lost in the love of your Savior who died so you could live!

Grace and Peace,

Meredith

The Man of My Dreams!

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

I bet y’all thought I was going to be blogging about falling madly in love with a Frenchman. Unless Jesus was from Angers rather than Galilee, I fooled ya! 🙂

Sometimes it is nice to be reminded how dearly loved you are. I am so thankful for Jesus and the cross!

 

Let Freedom Ring

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

To say this week was easy would be a flat out lie. I have a heart for FCA and their summer camps that impact so many lives for the Kingdom and secured my eternity with God eight years ago. This week camp was held in Abilene, Texas while I’m 5,000+ miles away in France studying abroad. As pictures were posted and statuses were updated throughout the week I wanted to be in the heart of Texas serving along side my brothers and sisters instead of in France (some people think I’m crazy, that’s okay with me!). As I was explaining my emotions to one of my best friends who served in Abilene this week, she brought me back to reality and how God was working in me despite being so far away. As I told her the high points of my week she revealed to me God’s handiwork that I was blind to.

If I hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have gotten to explain the difference between practicing religion and having a relationship with God in class. I wouldn’t have gotten to challenge God through prayer to move mightily at camp and hear about my answered prayers and the fruits of the week in a two hour Skype call. I wouldn’t have gotten to spend an hour at the United States Cemetery at Omaha Beach where this week 68 years ago so many lives where lost in a battle for freedom. If I weren’t here this week I wouldn’t have seen the clouds part during the National Anthem as God broke the chains enslaving my heart to a law that condemns to remind me of freedom found in a faith that saves. Let me explain.

The past few months I have fallen into the dungeons of legalism and self-righteousness.  Rather than reflecting on the state of my own heart, I’ve been focused on everyone else’s flaws and have tried to earn my own salvation by following rules – a terrible combination. Fortunately, we have a Father who never stops pursuing us even when we fall off the rails for a season and He’s placed me back on the tracks through the book of Galatians. In a nut shell (please read Galatians ASAP!), the churches of Galatia heard and responded to the Gospel when Paul shared with them the Good News of Jesus Christ.  After Paul left, religious leaders told the Galatians they needed to abide by certain religious customs and laws to earn salvation. As humans, the Galatians, like so many of us, retreated from the Gospel of Christ Paul shared and found themselves entangled in religious laws rather than drowning in the grace that sets them free. They returned to a false gospel that told them it was Jesus plus good works that saves rather than Christ alone.

“…yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.” -Galatians 2:16

So how does this correlate to my experience at the cemetery?

Freedom is often a result of a sacrifice given out of love. The American soldiers who stormed Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 were fighting for our freedom against an enemy that sought to enslave us. They fought and many died because they loved our country and wanted to preserve our freedom. D-Day was a turning point in World War II.  Had the mission failed we would have taken a huge blow and had to regroup to try attacking again in a couple years.  Had it failed you may not be sitting in the comfort of your living room or on your cell phone reading this post.  Had it failed, life as we know it could be one of bondage.

I repeat, freedom is often a result of a sacrifice given out of love. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on a cross over 2,000 years ago to end the battle against an enemy that sought to enslave us. Christ died to liberate us from a condemning law that we cannot follow as hard as we try. On our best days, we fall short. The cross was a turning point and Christ’s mission to free us from our bondage couldn’t fail. Why? Because God had already promised Abraham 400+ years before the law existed that Abraham and his offspring are counted righteous through faith alone (Galatians 3:6-7). When God makes a promise He keeps it. He kept it at the cross.

Today in the cemetery, as the National Anthem rang through the speakers, God broke through the chains and set me free. The clouds opened to reveal the sun and the weight of the cross and my inheritance as a daughter of the Most High sank in like it was the first time all over again. The law condemns, Christ saves. What a beautiful God. What an amazing grace.

My challenge: Stop trying to earn grace. You can’t, it’s freely given. Instead, humble yourself to the cross and let freedom ring.

-Meredith

“Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1

A Notebook Kind of Love

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“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” -1 John 4:9-10

For those of you who’ve stuck with me since the beginning of Dearly Loved, in my first post I made it pretty clear I’m a hopeless romantic. Six months later that still hasn’t changed! I’m studying abroad in Angers, France for the next six weeks and every time I go to the farmers market I can’t take my eyes of the beautiful assortment of flowers. They are absolutely breathtaking! God completely amazes me with the spectacular creations he has made for our enjoyment that we by no means deserve. Lord willing I will one day be married to someone who most importantly leads me closer to the cross and occasionally brings me a bouquet of flowers – hint, hint 😉

 Loving chick-flicks is obviously a character trait of a hopeless romantic, and I am no exception. In my book, one of the ultimate chick-flicks is The Notebook based on a book by Nicolas Sparks…you bet I’ve read every one of his books and seen the movies! I was the girl during high school English class crying a river while finishing another one of his tear jerking novels. No judging please 🙂

As I was relaxing in my apartment at the end of another merciful day in Angers a few days ago, I popped The Notebook into my laptop to watch it for what seemed to be the millionth time.  A few months ago I played it in the background while I was getting dressed to go two-stepping with some of my buddies and some of the famous quotes took a new form. Rather than coming from the mouth of Noah, one of the main characters, they came from our Heavenly Father.  At the time I noticed it, but in the hustle and bustle of life I let the words pass without much regard.  The other night that changed as I actually slowed down – a rare occurrence – to watch the movie.  Below I have taken the quotes verbatim from the movie and adapted them to the words God spoke to me.

The Notebook: “I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you everyday for a year.”

God: “I wrote you 66 letters proclaiming my love for you. I wrote you everyday for thousands of years.”

The Notebook: “You wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t something missing.”

God: “I’ve shaped your heart with a hole I fit perfectly. You wouldn’t be at My feet if there wasn’t Something missing, if there wasn’t Something you were searching for.”

The Notebook: “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.“

God: “Following me isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to be hard. Look at those who have followed me before you. Just as they were persecuted, you will be too. You’re going to have to work on our relationship everyday. I’m willing to patiently wait for you because I love you to the point of sending my Son to die in your place. I want you, My beloved, all of you forever. You and Me… everyday.”

The Notebook: “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I’d hoped to give you forever.”

God: “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.  And that’s what I’ve given you. I’ve given you the cross to set ablaze a burning passion to share my love and given you peace in knowing that I hold your life in my hands. These truths are what I hope you find joy in forever. The choice to accept my love is yours.”

God is love perfected. He offers the notebook kind of love so many of us desire and He wants us to find fulness of joy in it. He desires us to be content in Him alone and has given us 66 letters to court us into falling in love with Him. The Bible is proof that you are His bride. He wants you, all of you… forever.

Rest in the warm embrace of a groom more perfect than you could ever imagine.

-Meredith

“Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says your compassionate Lord.” -Isaiah 54:10