Today’s Daily Bread ~ “I love you so much!”

Psalm 149:3-4 – Praise His name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.  For the LORD delights in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.

This is a glimpse of a typical day for me:

Alarm goes off at 3:40am.  At 4:15 I’m pouring my coffee and hitting the road.  We (the Dorsey Gang on 96.3 KSCS) go on the air at 5:30, and really don’t come up for air until about nine.   At 9:45 we pass the baton to Kim Stewart (10am-3pm), I finish up office duties or production work, and head home.  I bible study and write until noon, and then head over to my sister-in-law’s house to pick up my children.

Then, the highlight of my day.  I stop the car and get out, walk up to the door and listen for the highly anticipated, “Mommy!!!”  My son can’t quite open the storm door yet, so he’ll press his hands and face against the glass and holler for me until I go in.  Then, as I scoop my children into my arms and cover their cheeks in kisses, the cares and concerns of the day fade away.  I have my babies, and they’re safe.

Both of my children are affectionate, but Nick is a real cuddle-bug.  When he gives hugs, he presses all the way in with both arms wrapped around my neck.  “I love you so much,” he says.  “Mommy, I love you so much.”

Today, it occurred to me that if my day is absolutely made when my children run to me with exclamations of joy and love, how much more so does our Father rejoice when we do the same?

Where Nick is lovable, Caitlyn is grateful.  Mike and I recently went to a Cowboy’s game where they passed out pompoms.  I brought them home, knowing our daughter would love them, and I was right.  “Wow!” she shrieked, “Are these for ME??  Thank you SO MUCH (those who know my daughter well know this isn’t an exaggeration)!”  Knowing the exuberant appreciation I’ll receive, I always look forward to giving her things.  How much more then, does our Father want to bless us when His gifts are received with a thankful heart?

Look around you.  Everything you have is a gift.  Everything is under His control…and yet you have the ability to delight Him. 2 Chronicles 9:8a – “The LORD your God is great indeed!  He delights in you and has placed you on a throne to rule for Him.”

Look outside today, and meditate on what you see.  The earth would’ve been just as functional without quite so many flowers, quite so many varieties of plants and trees.  Our bodies would be nourished without such a selection of fruits, grains and vegetables.  The grass doesn’t have to be so lush, the oceans so vast, or the mountains so majestic.  God made the earth and called it good…for You.  He is wooing you to Him, calling you, singing to you through the birds.  He caresses your face through the breeze.  And then, in the ultimate act of love, He sent His Son, who paid the highest price that you might turn your gaze upwards and see.  He loves you with a crazy, radicle, nonsensical love.  Shouldn’t we do the same?

Come, let us worship and bow down.  Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for He is our God.  We are the people He watches over, the sheep under His care.  Oh, that you would listen to His voice today! ~ Psalm 95:6-7

Dear Heavenly Father, “thank you” just isn’t enough.  How can we ever thank You for all You’ve given us and all You’ve done for us?  Words will never convey it, so let us show You with our lives.  Lord, we ask You to give us hearts that love lavishly, give generously, and forgive mercifully.  We ask You to break us when we need it, God, and rebuild us in the image of Your Son.  Let us hurt for the hurting, that we might bring forth healing.  Let us hurt for the hopeless, that we might bring forth hope.  Let the only sword we take up be the sword of the Spirit, Your Word.  Let us hold up our shield of faith, and shine Your light to lead the lost home.  We love You so much, help us to love You more.  Help us to love our neighbors and our enemies.  Bless us to be a blessing to others.  We ask these things in the precious, holy name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.