Posted in Different Thoughts

fatherhood.

I’m thankful for tiny hearts and their natural inclination toward being loved.

I’m humbled to recognize my tiny heart has been inclined toward the Father’s Love, even in moments I am least aware.

I’m challenged by the seasons of parenting, and how our children incline themselves toward our love in different ways, each according to season. So often I’d rather give them the love I enjoy giving, rather than the love they’re seeking in that moment.

I’m thankful for the ways we are each pursued by the Father’s Love.

I’m in awe of the tender vulnerability shown in our creator becoming one of these tiny hearts, naturally inclined toward being loved by His own human parents.

I’m honest enough to know that I’m imperfect as a father, and I’ve not shown the love my children have needed every time they’ve needed it. I’m thankful for their grace.

I believe I have this in common with Joseph, meaning Jesus has experienced the wound of not being loved well at times. Our God knows our pain. He chose to experience it purposefully, even after seeing what humanity was capable of.

Even when Jesus was being loved imperfectly by His earthly father, it was part of His heavenly Father revealing love to all humanity – which now included Him. This offers an amazing foundation for Jesus to respond in His woundedness, as one who knows He is loved.

We know nothing less of ourselves.

And so again, I am thankful.

Tiny hearts – may we continue to lean in toward the Love we have always needed, and always known.

Happy Father’s Day.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

I come before You, aware of my faults
Aware of my penchant for error
I know that being unclean in Your presence
Is enough to fill me with terror

I look on my moments of worship
So quick to fill silence with noise
It seems a common self-defense
The shame of my sin oft’ deploys

Yet here I’ve permission for silence
As You’ve also silenced my shame
The accuser unable to point a finger
You’ve covered me with Your own Name

For You are the source of all justice
In You are all wrong things made right
Here as I come and be silent, Lord
Grant me to see with Your sight

It is good to live today all for You
Laboring not for tomorrow, but more
Aware of the context eternity brings
Knowing Your Love is assured

The gift of enjoyment You offer
Joy that integrates all with your Way
Grace that invites New foundation
Not for past, or for future, but Today

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

1 Peter 5:1-5

A word to all the elders
Of their duty to their flock
To not outsource what matters
To the newest on the block

Zeal is no replacement for
Years of humble loving service
Yet instead of arrogance
Knowing this should us nervous

That we not become motivated
By doing any of this for our gain
For the foundation we do any of it
Is to bring glory to one Name

The chief shepherd is returning
To share glory never fading
So we can encourage all the sheep
There will come an end to our waiting

We must put on true humility
(Not false airs of self denial)
As servants of new sheep arrived
Not judges at a trial.

We serve as we have been served
And Love as He’s Loved us
Empowered by the Spirit given
And through whom we place our trust

He will return to complete everything
His promises He’ll keep
Until that day we continue in Love,
To serve and pursue His sheep