I was feeling grateful the other day for my relationship with the Lord. It is amazing how He has become my best friend over the past few years. It wasn’t always this way. I have known Him my whole life but for the most part He was kept at a distance. Just sort of there when I needed Him to be, and tucked away when I thought I was doing ok on my own. In fact as I have shared before, it wasn’t until I was brought to my knees in my greatest despair that my Heavenly Father became my everything.
I had the privilege during that time to cross paths with an angel. A providential meeting. One of my close friends introduced her friend to me that had been through a similar experience. When she was sharing how the Lord had gotten her through those impossible days, she asked me a question I will never forget. “Are you in love with Jesus?” I found the question a bit strange. I had never thought of being “in love” with Him….to me, “in love” meant love in a romantic sense. She went on to share what she meant by this. She too had been knocked to her knees only a few months prior, and she had only survived the pain when she got to know her Savior like she had never been given the chance to before. She spent what seemed like every waking moment- reading God’s word, journaling, praying, and spending time with Him. Yes she had children to care for and a life that went on, but she was in such a dark place that she depended on Him to carry her through each day. It was during this time that she fell in love with Jesus. The One she depended on to meet her every need.
I was given hope that day, as I had met the strongest women I had ever known. I had witnessed her on this side of her pain and suddenly the impossible seemed possible. I saw Hope, and I wanted that chance. Over the next several days, weeks, and months- I poured out my pain at the feet of My Father. I read the Bible every day and wrote down the endless promises from Him that He would heal my heart. Those were the hardest days I had ever endured, yet His presence was the only thing that kept me going.
As I now too sit on this side of the things, I can say with my whole heart and soul- that I am in love with Jesus. He is the one who I talk to about everything. Just like an ongoing relationship you would have with a close friend. I was given a miracle as He mended my heart and filled me with hope once again. The more time I have spent with Jesus, the more I have come to know Him and depend on Him. He is the only One who can meet all of my needs and I am so grateful and blessed to be called His. I am proof of His promises, and my prayer is that He will use me on this side of my story, to offer hope to those in the midst of theirs. To challenge others with the question, “Are you in love with Jesus?” and to be given the gift of being an angel to them, as He once gave one to me.
With Love- April
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.