July 4

For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]”. Ephesians 1:5 (AMPC)

Have you ever experienced those gaps in your life—things you wished had happened, but they didn’t? The Mom who knew what to say and do, and exactly when to say and do it? The Dad who had the right amount of love and support, encouragement and strength? Parents that had a way of loving you that made you feel safe and confident in who you were, and what you were meant to do? Teachers, friends, family, spouses, who built us up, came into our lives, and stayed?
 
For many of us those gaps are there, like the missing jigsaw puzzle pieces in the picture, and no matter how many times we try to re-arrange the bits we do have, the empty spaces remain. 

In the midst of the mess and missing pieces, along comes our God, Father over all, Who planned for us in love, before time began. With kind intentions towards us, He fills in the empty places, and aching spaces, as only His transformative, unconditional love can do. There is no shortage of anything we need in His constant care, for whatever is lacking that others were meant to give, God has in abundance!

God, Who is whole and Holy, caring and complete, calls you His own. He embraces who you are and celebrates who you are meant to be. He assures you that you belong—that you have value and worth beyond calculation, and were always destined to be you—in the unique and wonderful way that only you can do.

Brilliant and beautiful gift that you are—complete in Him now—don’t you see, dear one—in the fullness of His generous love, there is nothing missing—inside or out, for divinely loved, and deeply cherished, you!

Prayer:
 
Dearest Father and Lord,

I have long felt those gaps in my life, and I admit, sometimes I have tried to fill them myself, and not always in the best ways.

Would You come now, in Your kindness and grace, and take away all that was not Your best in my life, filling it instead with all that is of You?

That You planned for me in love, Lord, is more than I can imagine. I am so very grateful that it could be so. I welcome Your healing love today; Your grace and forgiveness; Your tender mercies making all things new. I welcome the fullness of the life You have planned and I welcome You!

By the power of the Precious Holy Spirit, our Helper, and our Friend, I pray.