As tears streamed down my face as I was praying for the Sweet Angel that was sitting in my lap, I was over come by the love of the Father.
Just a few days prior to a divinely kissed moment by the Father, my team and I had just arrived in Namibia at an orphanage called Moria Grace. We were greeted at the bus station with African singing and dancing, and we were greeted once again when we got to our home for the month. These kids had the light and face of the Heavenly Father.
This month has been one of the hardest months for me as a World Racer. India, looking back 5 months ago, doesn’t seem as bad. There is a lot of spiritual warfare, emotional, and physical struggle. Not just with myself but within our team. BUT the Lord has continued to bring me back to this precious moment at the orphanage.
Team Freedom decided that we wanted to have a worship night, with the kids but also for ourselves after a 94 hour travel day(s). The kids LOVED the music and they loved hanging out with us women. I was sitting singing and a little nugget, lets name her Sweet Angel, came up to me and just sat in my lap. I sang to her, and I hugged her tight, allowing her to feel my love. There were moments when she would turn around and grab my face, look at it, and feel it. Almost like she was studying the characteristics of my face. Then she would lean her head up against my chests, like she wasn’t close enough to me, and she would wrap her arms around my waist and hug me as I was continuing to hug her.
Through this Holy encounter, the Lord brought me to a place of singing, worshiping, and praying for this Sweet Angel that was sitting in my lap. Then everything clicked for me. This was a picture and experience that the Lord longs to have everyday with His children. The Father LONGS to have His children snuggle up to His chest, to get as close to Him as possible, to where we can hear him breathing, and hear His heart beat. He LONGS to wrap His loving arms around His Sweet Angels so that we can feel His love. He LONGS for us turn around and take ahold of His face, not just look at it but to study it, to KNOW the Father intimately. Lastly, the Father LONGS to whisper His truth and prayers to US!
This month, I have had many morning where I am honored to sit before the Lord and have intimate time with Him. To know His character, to study His Word, and for Him to tell me more of who I am as a daughter. The Father has really shown me more of what Holy Kisses from Him look like. I wanted to share some versus with you that I have been studying, to encourage you in how the Father looks at you, and to let you know that the Father of the WHOLE Earth LOVES YOU SO DEEPLY and EXTRAVAGANTLY.
“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16…You are forever KNOWN by the Father, you are tattooed on His had. You are a beautiful child of the MOST HIGH KING!
“Because you are Precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you.” Isaiah 43:4
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness, I WILL TAKE YOU BY THE HAND AND KEEP YOU.” Isaiah 42:6
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you. and therefore exalts himself to show mercy (compassion) to you.” Isaiah 30:18
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom I delight.” Isaiah 42:1
Psalm 139…You are 100% known by God
“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103:17
“For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” Genesis 32:20
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Listen, the Father doesn’t just want you to know of Him, He wants you to KNOW Him. To study His face, to KNOW His character, to dive into more intimacy and a deeper relationship with Him. He wants to tell you how much He loves you, and has great plans for your life. He wants His heart beat to be in the same rhythm as ours.
This Holy kiss from the Father is something I needed to realign my heart with His, and to change my perspective on how I approached my space and time with the Lord. Sometimes all the Father wants is to hold us and let us know that He is near. I hope and pray that this encourages you! Love you all deeply!
In It For Good With Him,
Hope
P.S. I am still in need of $71 to be fully funded! You can click the “Support me” tab at hopebowman.theworldrace.org
