We have been created with a need to be known. Chronic illness, especially rare, invisible, or undiagnosed illness, can bring on feelings of being misunderstood like nothing else. You might feel loved and known, and at the same time, misunderstanding of those who love you best.
If no one else on the entire planet knew you, if not one soul really understood, God does.
Read MoreWhen we invest our hope in God, we get his unfailing love in return. Of course, the only way we ever come to the place where we can put our hope in him is through his grace. We cannot do it in our own strength. So, God gives us the grace to love him, then he gives us his unfailing love in return. Sounds like he’s doing all the work, right? Exactly.
It is embarrassing to be loved like that. Brennan Manning calls this, “irrational love.” It makes no sense. He gives his love and we don’t have to do anything for it. Nothing. God loves us because he loves us. That’s it.
Why would a perfect God love us despite our many imperfections? It’s a mystery.
Read MoreFor as long as my lungs have bled, I have wanted a doctor with enough wisdom to explain why my body continues to grow bad blood vessels and how to stop it from growing more.
On the other side of human limits we find hope in the infinite strength and wisdom of God. Where man’s abilities end we can find a new beginning — to trust “in the name of the Lord our God.”
Read MoreWhat do you do when you want (shall I say “need”) to support a friend? What if you aren’t close enough to do the do-ing things you long to do?
I wrote out 21 Bible verses that I will pray for my friend with cancer, one verse for each day she is gone at a treatment center. Want the list? I’m sharing it so you can join me. Or use it to pray for other friends.
Let’s lift up these words of promise to the One who love us best and first.
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