Probably you are very tired of hearing aspirations pour out of me … I just came upon this little crumpled piece of paper that I have saved for years.  This was written 10-15 years ago, so it has survived many moves and changes in life.  But I was overwhelmed to see how God takes us serious in our desires.  He is so faithful!  I thought maybe I would just write this all down so that the poor little beat-up piece of paper can take it’s rest finally.  I remember writing this in a moment of passionate love for the Lord.  It may seem kind of humorous, but I have to say He has me in much the same place of desire today.  May His will be done forever

”Oh, God, be Thou exalted over my possessions.  Nothing of earth’s treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life.  Be Thou exalted over my friendships.  I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth.  Be thou exalted over my reputation.  Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream.  Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health, and even my life itself.  Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase.  Let me sink, that Thou mayest rise above.  Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, ‘Hosanna in the highest.'”

                                                                                                                                                    

Oh, I want to be like Him!  How the cry rings out of my soul, and echoes again and again.  How I want my heart to be transformed … not just conformed.  His yearnings, His love, His visions all stir from deep within my heart, and give me not a moment’s languish here on this earth.  To think that He could possibly inhabit me totally and completely seems so impossible, a weak and sinful human being like me.  But faith says He will, and He does.  If He will, He may.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Slay every morsel of self.  Cut down every high and lofty thought that is selfish.  Inhabit my soul, my heart, my love, my life, with the incredible essence of Yourself, Your love, Your life.  For You have created each one for a specific purpose.  There is a plan, though different for every person, it is all the same to you … to bring glory to Your Name.  Please help your children to lift up their feeble eyes and gaze into their source of life, of strength, and see the purpose for which they each are created.  You are amazing!  Words fail me.  The joy seems to burst forth from faith deep within, and a human heart can scarcely contain Your joy.  Oh, where shall I go to express Your love?

And You say, “Right here, my child. Right here are your loved ones.  Your husband, your children are here with hearts just like yours.  Let My love fill you to overflowing and let it spill out on their hearts every day.  Intercede in the Spirit for their eternal destiny. Love them. Forgive them. And love them some more.  And there.  There are the people all around you.  When you ask them how they are, mean it.  Let my Love overflow out of your heart and pour over their discouragements, their turmoil, and their pain.  Lift their trembling, fearful hearts up to Me, for in Me is all the healing, all the Love, all the forgiveness they are looking for.  Let them see through your very existence that My love for them is established and unchanging.  Let them see by your willingness to believe and walk in My forgiveness for your own heart that I have forgiven them, I will never stop loving them.  And let them see by your willingness to release them to Me, their only true Source of love, that I respect their free will, and I give them the choice to accept My unfathomable love for them, and oh, the anguish of true love … I also give them the choice to reject it and walk away from Me.  That is love.  It protects, pursues, and weeps longingly.  But it never forces.”  

You are God.  And I love you!!

Our almost-Christmas baby is two already.  Oh, what fun to introduce a toddler to her second birthday!  From many, many attempts to get two fingers in the air instead of one, to listening to her Daddy drill her repeatedly on “How old are you?” 

“I’mmm one … TWO!”  It’s great.

Due to our travels to and from her mama’s family on and around her birthday, and then much more socializing with Daddy’s family in NC as soon as we got back (the disadvantage of being born between Christmas and New Year’s), I don’t have the typical pictures of blowing candles and messy face that I would like to post.  But I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that we are truly grateful for our little daughter’s entrance to the world two years ago.  She is very appropriately named ‘Megan Joy’ as she has filled our world with literal delight.  She hasn’t struggled with living life yet.  It is all a grand adventure to her.  She wakes up with a bright smile of anticipation and plenty of love to reach around.  About the only time her amiability is hampered is when little cousins come around that she didn’t know share her Daudy!  We’ll have to work on that one.  :)  Hurray for Megan!