Morning Cuppas With Glenys : Jesus

Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

You are doing well!

If you suffer from chronic pain as I do, do you sometimes feel less worthy as a woman, wife, mother and homemaker because of your illness? At times like these, fibromyalgia/CFS, lupus and heart disease can cause chronic pain, and can become very lonely diseases. And self-fulfilling ones.

It does seem unfair that not only do we have this accursed disease but that we feel obliged to defend ourselves constantly! Sometimes even to doctors! Families can often be the worst with their taunts about being a hypochondriac and demanding we get a job! Why don’t they realise just breathing is a job some days and besides which, your joints and muscles feel as stiff as a statue??

Because I walk in your shoes, may I offer you some advice and comfort? Which I know you need as you bear one of the heaviest loads imaginable: chronic pain and illness whilst trying to be a good wife, mother and home maker.

Are we not the best of loving wives and mothers, homemakers, servants of our family and the LORD? We don’t throw in the towel and give up because we can’t- we have our families and home to look after- but we draw on all our innermost reserves to give to our families what is needed when we just want to crawl back into bed and vegetate. Do we? Not as much as we want!

We show great devotion, endurance, and self-sacrifice with our limited energy and draw closer to God than perhaps most healthy women would do. Why? Because it is harder for us!

Isn't it more valuable in spiritual terms to deny oneself the rest and ease we would love to indulge in, than to achieve the "honour" of having the most spotless of homes etc with relatively little cost as regards personal denial and physical pain?

Kind of like Jesus's parable of the widow's mite- she gave all she had and the others gave of their abundance! Do you not see the correlation? We give our all, not just a little of the abundance of our strength. Surely then for us, are we not more worthy of honour and appreciation? I would say so!

And so I would encourage you to realise that you do not have to take the taunts and demands to heart, nor let it settle in your spirit. You do not have to defend yourself incessantly to anyone, because you are doing far more already than most people of lesser fortitude would do. Furthermore, God hears our sighs and pleas, He knows we are but dust and knows our frame- He most of all identifies with our weaknesses!

Will He not say "Well done Thou good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:21 to us who struggle to serve others every day when our flesh cries out for compassion and being served ourselves? In moments like these, I cling close to Christ and let His compassion and grace wash over me afresh- for without His closeness I would never get up some mornings! With the Psalmist, let us rely on God for our strength as we cry, "I love you LORD my strength!" Psalm 18:1 I pray you feel His loving help. You are doing well!

Our Prince of Peace Forever

So many years ago, the earth saw a miracle that blessed humanity for all time...

The earth that saw Jesus' birth 33 years before, drank in the Blood that flowed freely.... freely running, freely given, freely pardoning, freely saving unto eternal life anyone who would only believe in Him.

The same earth that is Gods' footstool, trembled at the cross alongside the centurions and soldiers and those few of Christs' followers who remained or who watched from a distance....

Unable to withstand the magnitude of atonement and celestial grief, it swayed in its power, reeling as someone in shock...

And utter darkness covered the earth as it shook, highlighting the terror as God turned His Face away from His Son, unable to look upon the sin of mankind that His Son had taken upon Himself...

It violently heaved in the aftermath of a crucifixion that saw the greatest gift of redemption the earth would ever know, releasing resurrection power to many who had died and tore the Temple veil in two.

Then hastily the earth swallowed the body of Christ into its maw of hewn rock, as it had done to men since Abels' untimely death until this day.... yet no ashes to ashes or dust to dust: no decomposition...

And another Sabbath passed, not shrouded in joy and welcomed since the birth of the Jewish people, but bringing with it a desolate cloak of disbelief, shock and despair that threatened to engulf the little band of believers who had trembled at Christs' words... unaware that triumph was already His. And theirs.

Beneath, the earth reeled as Christ stripped Lucifers' hopes of victory against a God Who now presented Himself King of Kings and Everlasting God.- Light of Light, Holder of the Keys of the Kingdom, destroyer of death and sin.... and Lucifer and his minions trembled.

The earth marvelled at the intensity of the Power of Resurrection... molecules and atoms infused with Life, vibrant in a way it vaguely remembered at its birth so many aeons ago.... magnificent creative force, God breathed life and Power.... Pulse of God.

Was ever there a time like this as Creation remembered Diety's Touch, revelling in His Footprints as His pierced Feet swung from the burial ledge, and His Hands that held the weight of the world folded the shroud so hastily bound around His lifeless Body 3 days ago?...

An almost forgotten thrill caused the earth to shudder as the Power of Gods' angels rolled away the enormous stone that blocked the burial chamber....

And it sang in ecstasy as the Feet of its' Creator once again walked amongst men.... victorious King, conquering Saviour, merciful God, everlasting to everlasting Prince of Peace.....

"He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:6-7

Her Kinsman-Redeemer

Through new-born eyes the infant King stares at Mary's face,
Her deep brown eyes drinking in the sight of Him-
His tiny hand clasped strongly around her finger-
The first touch of God incarnate amongst man.
He is God's own Son-
Her Kinsman-Redeemer.

Through pain-filled eyes the crucified King stares into Mary’s face again,

Entrusting her into John’s care-

Longing to reach out to her with His pierced hands

To bring her the comfort of God -

He is her own Son-

Her Kinsman-Redeemer.

In death His glazed eyes still behold her and all mankind for whom He died,

His bloodied hand now resting on Mary’s shoulder

Comforting her as she cries in her grief –

Even in death loving her,

Her victorious Saviour and evermore

Her Kinsman-Redeemer.

“When Jesus saw His mother, He said, ‘Woman, behold your son!” John 19:26

Called to remember

Today is Maundy Thursday. It was on the night Christ was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. He had a Seder or Passover meal with His disciples.

Knowing that He would be betrayed, Jesus donned an apron and washed the disciples' feet, showing that the greatest would be a servant.

Later He instituted the First Communion or Eucharist, asking His disciples and prophetically, all believers to come, to remember Him until He comes again.

I have been reflecting on how believers these days generally think of these sacraments at Easter. Many these days do not go to church, let a lone remember Christ by taking Communion.

Although I can no longer attend church per se, I will be worshiping Christ and remembering Him by taking Communion at home.

Perhaps you could consider taking Communion at home if you cannot attend church this year. I think it's important that we aquiesce at least by remembering Christ and taking Communion with the Body of Christ whether corporately or alone.

It's the least we can do for Christ Who asked very little of us, except to remember Him, on the eve of His betrayal and subsequent crucifixion.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19

Unwanted blessing

So forty-five years ago I was having a cup of tea with my new neighbour. She was a Christian and I was a babe in Christ.

She already had two children and was dismayed to find herself pregnant with her third. Planning to adopt a child, this pregnancy was not part of her plans.

To rectify the problem, she told me that she consistently jumped off her kitchen table to dislodge the baby if possible. It did not.

I was shocked at her actions because she seemed oblivious to the fact that trying to procure a miscarriage was a sin. In previous discussions she said that abortion was sin and she would never go to an abortionist... yet here she was trying to abort her child.

Her actions smacked of hypocrisy and I wondered at the depth of this woman's relationship with Christ and her knowledge of the Bible.

It wasn't until later on in my own walk that I realised that not everybody who goes to church or says they are a Christian in fact are. And even if they are, they are not controlled by the Holy Spirit and are living carnally.

I kept our conversations about every day things from then on, realising that I could be led astray by her rationalisations about sin.

I often wondered if she would actually have been upset if she had miscarried. Abortion and miscarriage tend to make a woman depressed and full of regrets. It wouldn't have mattered if she jumped off the kitchen table or went to an abortionist. The end result would be the same. A dead baby.

Thinking of her often, I am glad that she was unable to dislodge her baby... even if it was an unwanted blessing...

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16

Don't let fear ruin your peace!

So the world has become a scary place with UFO's and "aliens" (fallen angels) and mysterious fogs and rumours of wars and new diseases.

We live on the cusp of World War 3 and often we despair as we watch news of existing wars and devastation.

I won't lie- sometimes I become afraid. I know we are in the end days and we wait for deliverence by the Rapture. We are more than ready to be with Jesus.

I admit that I have too much time to think and I am morbidly attracted to the News and updates on prophecy playing out in front of our eyes.

That comes at a price though. It robs me of my peace! I mean, often I find myself confused by world events and back tracks and I don't know what to believe.

It is then that I have to take my thoughts into the captivity of Christ. If what I am seeing or reading does not agree with scripture, then I reject it. If one believes as I do, that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, then it is imperative that one brings any doubts or fear to Christ in prayer.

Many are looking for the Anti-Christ and although there are quite a few who meet the criteria for that role, he will not manifest himself until after that which restrains him is gone. That is us with the Holy Spirit within us and until the Rapture has taken place, he is still restrained.

I am looking not for him, but for Christ. Personally, it won't matter to me who is he.. I know Who I follow and believe in.

If we have faith in Christ Who gave His life for us and Who will keep us eternally and carry us until He comes, then there's no reason to fret and worry. We are kept and secure.

God has told us what to expect in these end days and if we continue to pray and keep close to Him, fear will not get a hold of us and ruin our peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

He did all things well

I was watching a video this morning about the miracle of Jesus healing the bleeding woman.

As always, I marvelled at the woman's faith and identified with her desperation as she begged for a cure. And as always with Jesus, she was healed and comforted and assured that she was loved and no longer unclean.

Mulling over the scene, I wondered if she had any fears when her normal courses returned. Was she still healed? Was the blood going to stop? And I imagined that each day of her period would be fraught with anxiety as she waited for it to complete its natural course.

Really, she would only be human to detest her monthlies recommencing, taking her back to 12 years of bleeding that made her unclean and an outcast. Surely, she would relive it each time.

I think this woman of faith would have asked herself questions but inevitably would have decided that this was only now the 'way of women' and that the flow would soon abate as in the natural course of events.

Her journey of faith did not end at her healing, but would rekindle every month and cause her to joyfully relive her encounter with Jesus her Healer, remembering that He did all things well.

And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:20-22

That none should perish

I was looking at this link today So many people are turning to Christ all around the world. It is so amazing to know that these people are now eternally safe from any harm that the world can inflict on them.

Truthfully, I am overwhemed that even at this late hour, the Age of Grace is still here. To be honest, I feel a tad guilty.

"Why?" you ask. Because I am so longing to be with Jesus myself, and am praying for the Rapture to be soon, that I have overlooked those who are not as yet, saved.

Jesus commanded all Christians to go and make disciples and that includes everyone regardless of ethnicity, colour or creed. Regardless of how much they have sinned, each person is loved and wanted as God's Children and co-heirs with Christ.

In my pleading for Jesus to come and take us to be with Him, I am in effect hastening the end of the Age of Grace. After which those who are left behind will suffer terribly and will be martyred for their new belief in Christ.

Prior to being saved, we are all on the road to Hell. God, not wanting anyone to perish sent His only begotten Son, Jesus to shed His Blood for us and all He requires of us is to believe that He is God's Son, died and shed His Blood in our place and rose again on the third day.

Any man or woman- any- is welcome to come to Him and not go to Hell. But we can only come through Jesus- because only His sinless Blood could atone for our sins. There's only forgiveness by the Blood.

My selfishness forgot that Jesus longs to bring many more to Christ before the Rapture and I have been remiss in not speaking enough of it. Now is the Day of Salvation... that none should perish.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 1:25

When I bow...

America is undergoing severe trials at the moment and a lot of it revolves around racism. Apparently, they are being exhorted to bow their knee to the coloured population and beg forgiveness for being white.

Whilst the majority of African-American people do not want this and just want to live peacefully with all men, especially white, there are those who are being whipped up into a frenzy and now require it.

Today here in Australia, we are seeing mass rallies protesting "Black Lives Matter" responding to aboriginal deaths in custody, and like in America, it is being contrived by certain people to have political gain and is driven on a false pretext that will eventually end in anarchy.

The spirit of Lawlessness is alive and well and multiplying. The mob mentality is rife. It is what is to be expected and was prophesied to come before the Rapture and second coming of the LORD.

The tone of racism is that we who are white should be ashamed and we should bow to the person of colour in an attitude of repentance and solidarity. It assumes that God has made a mistake in creating the human race in different skin hues and that is insulting to our Creator to say the least.

To require that we bow before another human negates our worth and minimises the beauty of humanity who were created in God's image. Our colour is not our worth: we are all worthy of respect from all races and were created equal in God's sight.

In as much as God considered all humanity equal, Christ died for ALL men. We are His children and He has no favourites.

It will be a wonderful- no, glorious Day when we gather together in front of the Throne of God. We will all kneel before Him- black, brown, red, yellow, white toned Saints unified and bought by the Blood of Christ. Before that great and glorious Day comes, we would do well to love each other and bow to no man.

I won't say I am sorry for being white any more than I would if I was born coloured- and when I bow, it will be adoration, worship and awe to Jesus Who loves all His many hued children equally.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11

The Gift sent for you!

Merry Christmas to all... may you accept the greatest Gift- the gift of salvation through Jesus' Blood shed for you for your pardon.

Coming as a Babe, He will return as the Victorious King... be ready. Get saved. Today is the day to receive the greatest Gift- eternal life...

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 1:25

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

It's hygge to us!

Today my granddaughter came and put up a bible text that spoke to us.

When we were renewing our vows 7 years ago, we thought of this verse as our wedding verse as including Jesus into our marriage was important to us. The meaning of this verse is not lost on us and we know that with our threefold cord, we won't easily be broken.

Our wedding 26 years ago was in the Registry Office Melbourne and although we intended to include Jesus in our vows, we found that we weren't given the opportunity to include Him in prayer.

So at our son's wedding we slipped out of the reception room and renewed our vows in front of the Salvation Army Officers who married him. And lo and behold, after that, the chaplain mentioned this verse which was confirmation that we had heard from the LORD that this was a good thing.

Anyway, back to today... my granddaughter used her Cricut and printed these for us and put them up today.

We both love her work and the scripture that spoke to us. Seeing it on the wall is hygge to us.

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Where will you go?

In life, we don't have a say how we were born, or who our parents are, but in death, we do have a say. Either we will be in Heaven or hell. Either our Father will be God or the devil.

Based on how we want to live forever, and the decision we make to that end, we have a say- a very important choice of whom we will serve. We have to make that choice- either we serve God and live with Him or we choose Satan and suffer with Him forever.

Make the choice to love God and live for Him. And remember, your indecision and silence means you remain in your sin, a child of the devil. You cant be half-Christian... you are saved or not.

Make the choice to be a Christian today. The end of your life here demands a choice. Get saved today. You must make a choice.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 1:25

While we wait for Jesus

Most of the Christian Church is waiting for the Rapture wherein Christ comes for His Bride, the Church. It will be instant and unannounced. But hardly kept secret.

The Scriptures have told us for millenia about the need to keep busy and keep our hearts prepared as we wait for Jesus. But what should we be doing as we wait?

We are urged to keep oil in our lamps which means to be alert and watching for the signs that Christ is at the door. We are to be spiritually aware and physically pure and holy.

The bible also tells us to be minding our own business and keeping looking up. So how do we do this?

We need to be living in a way that is pleasing to the LORD. We are expected to do these things even if we are chronically ill. As when we were saved, we need to be serving Him in whatever calling He has placed us in.

If we are at home, we are to keep serving our family. With all the turmoil in the world, we need to be loving as a wife and mother and diligent as a home maker.

We are to continue working outside the home if that is where you are called and we are to witness through our daily living that we are Christians who have hope. The world needs to see that we are not moved by world events.

Whilst it is true that we are to mind our own business, we are expected to pray for others, both saved and unsaved and to give a reason for the hope that is within us, if asked. With meekness and humility.

It is imperative that we keep studying the Word, praying and worshiping. We must remember that our redemption is closer than when we first believed and we must keep close to the LORD.

Without clinging to Jesus, our hope will dwindle and we must be full of hope and love in order to firstly function for our family, then the world...

In everything we do and everywhere we go, we need to share the hope that is within us, for the lost have never been more in need of Jesus than now with His return imminent. Time is short.

Resolve to keep close to Christ and to share to others whenever possible that they need to know Jesus as their Saviour NOW. But, be glad for whatever calling you are in now, and keep on keeping on.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Either way is fine!

I want to meet Jesus face to Face. The fact that I won't be in pain anymore and will be in Heaven is important, but not my main focus. I can't wait to see how He will use me to serve Him... I know whatever He chooses, it will be perfect. just perfect. like Him!

But really I think we are all at the end of our rope living here in this cess pool... we have far out sinned Sodom and Gomorrah and it is deeply saddening/sickening to those who long for righteousness and holiness... He has to come soon. Which I hope for. I want to be raptured not fall off the vine... but really as long as I am with Him- either way is fine !

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10

Faith stronger than fear

When my daughter almost died due to leukaemia and was undergoing dialysis due to organ failure,

I was overcome with fear and sadness. So much so that my legs gave way under me and I slid down the wall

of the small tea room where I was making a drink to assauge my weakness. And to pray.

As soon as I made my way to a seat in the ICU waiting room, I felt a peace wash over me like a cloak around my shoulders.

I knew that she was going to pull through- which she did and I still can remember the feeling of faithful assurance and peace that defied the situation.

Give your cares to Jesus and feel His peace in your life. No matter what the situation. Let your faith become stronger than your fear.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

He delights when we call on Him

I think to cry and pray to Jesus in the midst of chronic pain- physical or emotionally is soul intimacy. In fact the more one draws close to Him, the more intimate the relationship becomes.

Jesus was born 100% human and 100% God. He was a Man acquainted with sorrow and He wept. He comforts us and keeps our tears in a bottle.

Many times we are told to come to Him- in good times and in bad, He will not turn us away.

Wanting a deeply personal relationship with us, He says of Himself that He is as a father and as a shepherd. He comforts us as a mother and promises to carry us through our trials. When we come to Him, He gives us not only comfort, but peace- the kind of peace that is beyond human understanding.

Don't ever be too much in pain, too sad or too ashamed to approach God for help, encouragement or comfort. He delights in being there for us and delights when we call on Him.

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

A delightful cuppa

Troubling times bring out the best or worst in us. We are all like tea bags sitting in pretty tea cups waiting to be filled with water to make delicious tea.

We all have the tea leaf of our favourite tea in our bag. But add lukewarm water, and we sit largely untouched and of little use or pleasure to the tea maker.

By adding boiled water, we release the flavour that delights the tea maker and is pleasant to the palate.

In our trials, whatever they are, God does not sit aloof but watches with the love of a father to see how we will react. He wants us to turn to Him in our times of trouble and to trust Him.

Because of His great love for each of us personally, His eye of concern is on us and how we respond. He wants our response to be one of childlike faith. We don't have to understand everything.

It is easy for us to be confident and loving and trusting when little heat is in the water of adversity- but what happens to us when the boiling water of long and extremely harrowing trials come our way?

Do we allow the boiling waters of adversity to steep us in faith, love and trust- or do we give up on our faith and run from God, boiling but lacking tea in our bag?

I don't know anyone who isn't touched by these latest trials in the form of wars and injustices, and I don't know why God allows it and hasn't intervened. But I can say that even though we are afraid at times, that God is not idly sitting by or caught by surprise. He is calling us to Him.

He is watching our reaction, and the world is watching us. How we react to adversity is the benchmark of how much tea is in our bag. Jesus wants us to overcome fear and find our strength through Him.

We don't need much tea: in fact a mustard seed size of faith is enough to move mountains. But we must have tea or we will be useless to others and a misery to ourself because we have no peace.

Let us resolve to keep tea in our bag and to allow the boiling water of adversity to make us stronger! Let's keep close to the Teamaker and be a delight to Him as we lean on Him with the eyes of faith instead of fear.

We want to be steeping in strength through clinging to Jesus! Are you a delightful cuppa?

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

Closer than ever!

Scripture tells us that we will not know the day or hour that Jesus comes to take His Bride- the Church home with Him. We who are looking for His glorious appearing and being with Christ for eternity are longing for the Day. And so we should be.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows" Matthew 24:36

Many of us are experiencing our own tribulations as the world is cast into the shadow of the great Tribulation, and we are tired of living in this sin-filled, ungodly world. We need to keep not only our eyes looking up, but our hearts.

As in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the final days before the Rapture also known in the Bible as the Harpazo and Rapturo. (Yes it is mentioned in the scriptures). We need to keep the faith, keep fighting the good fight and keep our spirits and heart in longing for our Beloved to come for us. And He is coming!

What can we be doing as we wait for Jesus to take us Home?

I believe we should be in prayer for those people suffering under authorities such as the Taliban and for all those Christians who are in danger.
We need to intercede for the Ukrainians who are being invaded as we speak.

We should be praying for those who are still unsaved.

Keeping the faith can be difficult for some, especially as the world gets darker. We need to pray for ourselves too.

How can we overcome the anxiety and depression these end days bring?

We should bring our thoughts and minds under the control of the Holy Spirit by focussing on good things that are still here

We must remember that Christ is in control, no matter how bad a situation becomes.

We must bring everything we see, hear and read in to the light of the Word and we must remember that all these things, though disturbing, are temporary.

We must maintain an attitude of gratitude for all things in our life and dwell on God's goodness.

We simply must be a person of worship and praise.

We must be in the Word.
We must remember that Jesus has promised to take us Home before the Great Tribulation. Revelation 3:10 see below

The end is in sight and we are tired. We long for Jesus to take us to be with Him. We are continuing to fight the good fight. We are running the race and our Saviour cheers us on.

We are being His faithful servants even in the end days.. whilst watching and waiting. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Maranatha! If you are not saved, get saved now. There's not much time left so get on the Ark!

The Rapture is closer than ever!

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10

Crying happy tears!

So the last few weeks have been difficult to say the least. We have helped my sister close up her house, moved her in here and found accommodation for my son.

On top of that, RSV has gone through our home and was pretty horrid. My sister says it was worse than Covid.

Add a severe fibromyalgia flare to the mix, and you have a very disheartening turn of events.

I have prayed a lot during the last few weeks but haven't been diligent about reading my bible. To be honest, sometimes it was hard just to keep awake.

Today I finally got back into the Word and was immediately drawn to Proverbs 20:20- Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

I was immediately convicted of doing this- not actual cursing but speaking badly of particularly my mother, due to a very traumatic childhood.

I repented quickly but even so, I meditated on this during the night, talking to the LORD about it.

During this talk, I asked Him why He has in fact blessed me all these years, and immediately I felt Him tell me that He knew and saw all the past hurt and allowed me to talk it out and slowly release all the pain.

I further felt that now is the day to let it go- really go, and move on. I am amazed at the patience and tenderness that God has shown me and I am so very grateful for His love and forgiveness and mercy.

You may recall my love for kingfishers and how God used to make sure I saw them whenever they came for a feed. I call them "love glances"

Fast track to an hour ago as I was preparing lunch. I happened to look out of the glass door from where we feed the birds in the garden. There was a black and white kingfisher! A love glance!

My heart burst with love for God and happiness that He still loved me in spite of my many failings! It was just what I needed to lift my spirits... and today like many times before, I cried.

Tears of gratitude and joy and a deeper joy in my spirit replaced the tears of pain and frustration of the last few weeks.

Finding Jesus is not finding religion- it is having a relationship with God and I am very pleased to report that God met His daughter's emotional needs mightily, for He glanced at me in a personal way that made me cry the happiest of tears!

He said, “I am the Lord, the Lord. I am the God who is tender and kind. I am gracious. I am slow to get angry. I am faithful and full of love. Exodus 34:6