Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful weekend and know how much you are loved. I am going to do food prep and clean the apartment and go to a baby shower at church.
Devotions from Judy’s heart that was written a couple days ago….
I have just finished dancing around the living room in liturgical dance with some ballet that maybe dangerous at my age. I am alone in the apartment as Al has gone to men’s group and it is not light enough for people walking by to behold me in my primitive dance! But it is a time to express my joy and gratitude to the Lord and worship Him in freedom. This devotional is rather personal and vulnerable today, but I want to share how the Lord has touched me recently.

Out of the blue one day recently I heard the words, “I don’t want to be a bother!” I’m sure it was the Holy Spirit telling me what I have held in my heart since I was a small child. I came into the world with my mom having a 3-year-old and a 1 ½ year old son and then surprisingly me, another baby in her already busy life. I grew up wanting to be more hidden rather than in the limelight and was surprised if attention was given to me for something I did. I just sort of passed compliments off and didn’t believe the words others said. My husband would also tell you that I just let things roll right on by and do not take them in. As a pastor’s wife, I did not like the spotlight on me and especially did not welcome public speaking engagements. But lately I think the Lord has been getting my attention that I am not a bother, for He welcomes me and loves me. Of course, my mind has always known that, but a deep place in my heart has not fully received the message. In case I don’t fully get this now, He has brought people into my life lately to share what God has said to them through something of my life or these devotions, etc…people out of the blue and even those I have not known personally. Yes Lord, I get it! You love me, you welcome me just as I am and I praise you.

I believe God wants each of us to rejoice in who He created us to be! We are loved beyond anything we can imagine. A friend shared how her grandson that lives 175 miles away, saw her in a large restaurant and ran the entire length of it as fast as his little legs could go, yelling “Grandma, Grandma!” and then fell into her arms. Let us picture Jesus that way, welcoming us into His arms of love, not for what we do, but for who we are. Now back to my dancing!!!!

Challenge for today: Memorize Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy