The Lenten Journey

Day 19: Love Yourself !!

Just writing those words sent my “little self” into a hyper mode.  Why can I not get passed “I must be doing something to merit God’s Love.”  Do my children look at me and say:  “Let me see, how may I sacrifice, how much penance must I do to get mom to notice, love and approve of me?”   I believe this is the mindset that causes me to  battle "living in the moment".   In preparing   for a couple’s seminar on “The Final Game Plan” – scoring  the final goal or touchdown as I “wing my way to heaven” -  I took a personality profile test and it nailed me.  It showed my really strong areas and my really weak areas.  I am always shocked when a computer can “nail me.”   Why would my first response be to look at the things I wish were different and lament that “I’m not perfect” versus looking at my strong points and celebrating that I am fearfully and wonderfully made?  After yesterday’s writing , why did I get up and my first thought for this Lenten Journey was “Abba, what shall I give up today?”  Would you like for me to give up -------------. Oh poopey poopey!   It was then that I sensed Him saying to me – just like I would say to my precious grand children:   Baby Doll, Look at Me – la la la Turn my eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace - la  la la.  As I turned my eyes upward My Abba said:  "Good Morning precious, I love you.  Stop trying to prove you deserve my love.  I chose to love you because you are my child.  I formed you, knit you together and put you where you would grow in the ways you don’t understand but that build character.  OK?  I want you to be on the lookout today for My smile and I want you to  see yourself as I see you.  If you don’t how to love you, how can you love others?  The second great commandment is:  Love others as you love yourself.  For today, give Me- Abba,  the gift of Believing what I say about you and do not listen to any “sneaky snake voices” in your head.  Spread the news to others that they are special and when they feel unworthy or depressed they may be  listening to the wrong voice.  You’re mine Baby doll, now live like you believe that today!"  Oh I am reminded of my favorite pictures of my first two grandchildren, holding them and looking down in delight of them just being mine.

Numbers 6:  God bless you and keep you,  God smile on you and gift you,  God look you full in the face and make you prosper.  (The Message)