Jesus loves me, this I know, for his actions tell me so
His little gifts, to me belong
I am so week, but He is so strong
When I started the Race, Jesus told me he was going to give me little gifts, He called them jewels, along my journey. Little moments to look upon and know that they were from Him alone, little measures of love in the middle of a divine romance.
My first jewel was a day by myself in India. It wasn’t supposed to happen, another leader was supposed to stay home with me for the day so we could get some work done. Someone else felt sick and was going to stay home too. That morning, minds were changed, people felt better and I magically found myself in a big room, all alone, all morning. It was exactly what my heart needed, time to dance and sing all by myself, without a care in the world.
The second, was a miraculously ordained day with a very dear, longtime friend from back home. A “chance” meeting in Nepal. She was flying back to Colorado the day after we came flying in. We laughed, we prayed, we shopped. She knew me and what I needed. I felt loved and seen by not only her, but also my great Lover who had ordained the whole day together for us.
The third, was today. Yesterday was a day off, I was supposed to feel filled up and relaxed after it. We went to a hot springs, I got a Thai massage for three USD and it was beautiful and fun. And yet, I came home exhausted, spent and even cranky, not having any clue why.
“Stay home tomorrow.”
What, Jesus? I just had a day off, I don’t need another one!
“Stay home tomorrow.”
I was supposed to be going to Chiang Mai to support some of the kids in a bible competition. As far as I was aware, we were going to drive 2 ½ hours, stay for the competition and then come home. A no big deal kind of day. But by the end of feedback and after a few more moments of arguing with Him, I conceded and informed the team I would be staying home. I’m so glad I did.
To put a long story short, I needed today. I needed to be able to talk to friends back home. I needed to spend hours just singing and dancing. I needed 12+hours without needing to say much to anyone, because the people around only speak Thai. I needed to sit down with my Thai moms for lunch and dinner and just enjoy food and the presence of other beautiful women of God. And finally, I needed to be shown the stars.
That was the final piece for me, knowing that today was a jewel day. I stepped out of my little bungalow to go find some “hot chocolate” (kinda a mix between hot chocolate and protein powder) and walked under a canopy of stars. I can’t really explain what a big deal this is and how much it meant to my heart. It has rained, I’m pretty sure, every night since arriving in Thailand. I haven’t seen the stars in who knows how long because it’s been cloudy and rainy these past few months. These just weren’t a few stars either, the sky was lit up by them. I walked around with my hot chocolate and giggled and laughed and sang, all alone with Jesus under the stars. As I started to walk back to my room, a shooting star told me, now Jesus was just showing off. It was the best date ever.
He is madly affectionate for me, and He shows me. When I need it the most, he gives me what my heart needs the most. He knows what my heart needs because He made it, and He loves and cherishes it. Know that this is truth for you as well. No matter where you are in your walk of life, he wants to romance your heart with the little gifts throughout your day. Little moments of blessing, like stars and hot chocolate, can point you back to him and cause your heart to listen. Listen to Him in these moments because he has deeper truths and revelations for your heart in each one of these moments. Listen, taste and see that the Lord is widely affectionate for you, let Him romance you until this is truth. I won’t go into detail about what He was telling me during our date together, but you can find out what He wants to say to you if you look for the little blessings and listen for His voice.
