April 4

[She proudly said] I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me!” Song of Solomon 7:10

Have you ever had the painful experience of people walking (or running) away from you when they don’t approve of, accept, or agree with what you have said or done—whether they truly know your heart or not? You make a mistake, mess up, feel less than, and are left alone.  I think it happens to us all in some way, large or small.
 
And yet beloved one, no matter how many times someone has walked away from you—listen instead for the sounds of the footsteps of your Hero God—the sounds of love, pure and true, running towards you.
 
He is the One, no matter what happens, no matter what you do—good, bad, or in-between—Who is actually chasing after you!  Why?  Because He has set His affections upon you. You are the apple of His eye, the desire of His heart; He is for you and not against you. He is walking towards you always and never away!
 
Prayer:
 
Dearest Lord, how sweet these words are to my heart.  You know the struggles I have had to fit in, to belong, to accept myself as You accept me—to see myself with love, grace, and approval, the way You see me.
 
In all the ways that I have felt less than or left out, today I receive this truth—that I belong to You! That I am held tenderly in Your redeeming love, and made whole and holy through Jesus, our good and gentle Shepherd, and Lord.
 
Where I am hiding today, Lord, come and find me I pray. Where I feel undesirable and less than, let Your guiding truth lead the way.
 
I am lost without You, Lord, this I know to be true.  But because I belong to You, I am also found in the most miraculous and healing ways!
 
All of this, Poppa, is not because I am good.  It is because You are great!  I am forever grateful that it could be so!
 
In Jesus Holy Name I pray.