This is not a terrible tattoo – it’s a reminder I wrote on my arm today. Here’s why: When you hear that God is our “everything,” do you ever find that kind of overwhelming to imagine? “Everything” is just so big and general. I have a hard time comprehending it, so sometimes, I try to zoom in on just a few ways He is showing up for me – or a few ways I really need Him to show up for me. (Hence the message I scribbled: Loving, Wise, Present.) This helps me to sense more of a personal connection with Him in the moment. It gives me specific reasons to be grateful. It reminds me that He never changes – that there are certain things that will always be true about Him regardless of my feelings or circumstances. And every day – even every hour – He is right here, ready to show me Himself, wanting me to know that, Yes, I am showing you just a few of the ways you can count on Me. My Presence is intimate and eternal. So, I’ve been dealing with nightly anxiety attacks; I thought I finally found a job that we now believe is a scam; we had water coming through the ceiling this morning for some crazy reason. But I’ve learned that I don’t need fewer “problems,” I just need more of Him to guide me through. Sure, I believe He heals and helps and resolves and gets us out of binds in all sorts of ways. But in the midst of it all, I just need to know He is here – and how He is here. I know good things are coming in His time. So what about you? Can you think of a few ways you need Him today? If you can’t, ask Him to help you name them. Write them down or type them into your phone or just commit them to memory. Watch and listen for those specific ways He is showing up for you and be reminded of how precious you are to Him.
PS: A few ideas - Patient, caring, compassionate, gracious, creative, all-knowing, steadfast, protective, healing, strong, trustworthy, intimate, eternal, unconditionally loving, wise, present, promise-keeping, delightful, hope-giving, forgiving, guiding, nurturing, restoring, redeeming, renewing, faithful, joyful, peaceful, motherly, fatherly, good.