Dear Ones,
Happy weekend! Al and I will be starting the day by going for our annual Doctor visit. Later we have friends coming for retreat and staying until tomorrow evening. We hope for good weather so they can walk the trails and enjoy nature.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I have gotten so much out of reading seminary professor Chuck DeGroat’s book “Healing What’s Within” and loved his vulnerability. After he was fired from his pastoral job, the Lord met him right where he was and healing took place over time. We all need healing and to learn how to flourish in who God made us to be. As we look around, we see people who are depressed, lonely and anxious as they try to live life without the healing presence of the Lord.
Chuck asks the question, “What do you long for?” We all have an inner hunger to belong and be loved and seen, so how do we try to meet that need? Some seem unaware that we are all born with a desire for God, and we will all be restless until we find our rest in Him. Nothing else will fill that void, no matter how much money we have, no matter how much power we have, for without Him we will feel empty. In Matt. 5:6 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst.” May we satisfy that hunger and thirst in knowing the Lord and experiencing His love and compassion. His love for us never quits and He waits for us patiently.
Our healing also involves being vulnerable and known. Jesus was vulnerable to the point of death, so he understands all that we go through.  He was wounded so that we may be healed of our wounds and know His love. Once we really know this in our hearts, we can live freely. We are many times like the prodigal who goes off on his own, doubting his father will want to receive him again. But the Lord watches for us and compassionately greets us as He welcomes us home with hugs and a robe.  No lectures, but just like it says in Isaiah 30:18, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, He will rise up to show you compassion.”
Challenge for today: Don’t hide your wounds but open yourself up to your Heavenly Father and also to others of His children.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy