Satisfied By Love...Day 24

There was a moment last night that filled my eyes with tears and my heart with joy and hope.

The community was gathered for an evening of worship.  Different denominations in the same building for the purpose of remembering Christ and giving thanks.  I imagine some were participants at churches where you listen mostly and speak when signaled while others came from a place where you dance and respond often and freely.  And there we were, all together.  Worshipping the one that gives us all a common purpose.

We were in the back row reserved for parents with little ones so the whole congregation was before us.  Our little one was on my hip taking it in.  As we sang hands began to raise high and there, in the back row, my sweet little girl lifted her arms as high as she could hold them.  And my vision blurred.

Did she know why people were raising their hands?  Probably not.  But the hope, the joy, came from knowing that she is living a life surrounded often by people who love and serve the living God.  People who aren't afraid to raise their hands in praise to Him.  People who don't stand on tradition or find pride in being right but willingly join together and love one another as we are called to do.    She is surrounded by people with real faith that is part of their daily life.  And when she sees that, I am hopeful that her desire will be to know Him too.

So this thanksgiving I'm thankful that there are people in my daughter's life who love, serve, and follow Christ.  If you are one of them, thank you for being an example to her each time you say yes to Him.  That at a young age she may be satisfied by His love extended through you and choose to follow Him too.

Lord, one day when she raises her hands, may she know that you are the one she was made to worship.  Thank you for the people in her life who have chosen to follow you daily and who live as an example to her.  Would you encourage them in their walk with you and remind them that even the smallest things they do matter in your kingdom.  
And thank you for all the different family you give us.  The people I sat with in that sanctuary last night are as much my family as the people I will eat dinner with this afternoon.  I pray that those who are lonely today might see the family you have placed around them and know they are not forgotten.


I wonder if that's you today?  If your heart is hurting because of broken relationships or loved ones lost, know that I am praying that God would be the one to satisfy your heart, and that he would bring people into your life that will bring love and encouragement and hope.  That you would know that you are not alone.  You are loved.  You are remembered.  And maybe you could find someone else today who needs to hear that too...