He Loves Us, Oh How He Loves Us

I had the best time with a couple of my best girlfriends in the world tonight. We ate pizza and watched old I Love Lucy episodes until our sides hurt. It was definitely needed after such a long day of studying and worrying about a problem that just won't seem to be resolved. It always seems like as soon as I place this certain issue into God's capable hands something happens, and I want to fix it on my own. The funny thing is: I know that the Lord will take care of it. No matter how many times I've doubted and struggled over the past five months or so God has gotten me through. The nights I thought I was going crazy, He was there to bring me comfort. So why do I worry? Human nature I guess; we just want to fix things on our own. We don't like to give up the control to certain situations in our lives because it makes us feel good to nurse our wounds. And instead of just giving up complete control to the One who created the universe, it becomes this constant tug-o-war of giving it up and then taking a little of it back, giving it up again and then taking a little bit back. Now I don't think its necessarily a crisis of faith, it's just a control issue. We are so afraid to be vulnerable, that we can't seem to get into the right relationship with Jesus, the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. Isaiah 49:16 says that our names are written on the palm of His hands. Those beautiful nail scarred hands that have my name written on them also make intercession for me. So why should I worry? Why not go to Jesus with all of our problems? He is God. He can handle anything you can throw at Him. If you're mad, be mad. If you're sad, be sad. Even if you are exceedingly happy, tell Him that too. Jesus wants to be your closest friend. He loves you so much. If we could comprehend the fullness of His love, I don't think that we could handle it. He wants us to experience life more abundantly and wonderful joy! Now this doesn't mean that we are going to be happy all of the time, nor that we will never experience hardship, but it's the peace that only He can provide when we put all of our trust in Him, even through the hard times. I'm sure you've read the poem Footprints by Mary Stevenson, but read it again now and really think on how much Jesus loves you and how He wants that relationship with you.

One night I had a dream--
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson