"I think God is mad at me or something." Those are the words that pierced my heart as I watched the tears roll down the cheek of a young lady I know. "God doesn't care about my prayers. He's far, far away," she continued. Through her tears, she looked at me and her heart's most painful aches just poured down her cheeks.
Being a little older than her, familiar with what she was facing in her life right now, and having walked somewhat of a similar journey, I was able to offer her some encouragement (and of course, a hug). But I couldn't walk away from her until she knew that God is not distant from her. He does hear her prayers. He is intimately aware of her heart's desires, and how her heart aches for them.
There isn't one of us who hasn't felt this way at one time or another, even if only for a moment.
So, this is not going to be a "story" of a glimpse God gave me of Him today. No, this is going to be a short letter about our very, very close-up, reachable, and very available God. This is for my friend, but also for those of us who sometimes need to be reminded that He hears our prayers. He is not distant. And, He loves us.
Dear Friend,
God loves you. And He is close. The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:18 that He is CLOSE to the broken-hearted, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit! He is our Heavenly Father, and he LONGS to hear you cry out to Him! Because He loves you, He is already intimately aware of your heart aches, and your deepest desires, but it's your voice He longs to hear! Scripture even tells us in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest!"
His plans are not to harm you, sweet friend. His plans are GOOD plans. They are plans to prosper you, and plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE! (Jeremiah 29:11)
I am praying that you would turn your discouragement and hopelessness into thankfulness. I can think of soooo many things you can be thankful for right now. And as difficult as it may feel for you to do that in the midst of a heart ache, do it anyways! Because it will begin to get you focused on HIM - On He who has your life in the palm of His hand. He, who has plans to prosper you, not to harm you. He, who longs for you to climb up on his lap and pour out your miseries, your aches and hurts, your disappointments, your worries, your questions. He has ALL of the answers. And not only are HIS plans for you PERFECT, His TIMING is PERFECT as well! You can TRUST Him. He DIED FOR YOU! He LOVES you! Your prayers are MELODIES to His ears. Psalm 56:8 even says that He has kept track of your tossings, and put your tears in a bottle! He is FOR you! He is NOT against you! (Romans 8:31)
I am praying that not only do you catch a glimpse of Him, but that you hear Him as well. I pray that He wakes you up in the middle of the night and speaks to you. I pray that you have eyes to see, ears to listen, and that you give Him your heartache with a great big bow attached to it and leave it at the foot of the Cross as a GIFT to Him. He WANTS to receive it from you, and it's at the Cross that He wants you to whole-heartedly give that to Him. He can and He will do a mighty work with that, my friend! Trust Him tonight, because you CAN!
Big warm hugs, Rita
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