A few Gentle Reminders

Throughout Rev. Hamlet's very good book about his wonderful dog, Gipper, (The Gospel According to Gipper) he shares "Some Gentle Reminders."  They're based on "some gentle reminders" his son gave him when he was going on an overseas trip.  I love how he uses his very sweet, precious, and most beloved golden retriever Gipper to share these gentle reminders of God's love. 

Rev. Hamlet is a man who will forever be a hero in my book (as will Wayne Wooten and my Dad, Ken Kinsey).  Why are all my heroes men?  Huh.  Interesting.  But for right now, they are--and for various reasons. 

But that's not the point of this.  I want to take a few minutes to write a few of my own "Gentle Reminders" that I feel God has for me:

- Just because I make a decision that others may question does not mean that I do not have His blessing for the decision.  Sometimes decisions I make for myself make no sense to others, but God knows and He is central to all my decision-making.  As long as I keep Him involved, I know that He will work everything out according to His plan.

- Even in my loneliest, most depressed, lowest of the low, saddest, weakest, lowest feelings of self-esteem, HE LOVES ME.  He loves me so much that He rejoices over me.  In fact, "He will exalt over me by singing a happy song" (Zeph. 3:17).  (I love that image.  Yes, it's important that He sent His son to live and die for me.  That is more meaningful that can be put into words, but to imagine that He also loves me enough to sing a happy song--maybe even do a "happy dance" over me is pretty awesome, too.)

- He will NEVER leave me alone or to deal with the trials in my life on my own.  I might try to deal with them on my own, but He is always right THERE waiting for me to let Him have the control when I'm ready to release it again.

- He walks WITH me every single step of the way.

- But even more than walking with me, He CARRIES me when I can't walk any more.  (I'm not doing much walking right now, you know.)

- He holds me when I need to be held.  He wraps His loving arms around me and holds me close--even when my husband my won't/doesn't.

- He is holding my beloved children in His arms, waiting and preparing for the day when we will all be together.

- He is my shield, my protector--He goes before me into every battle.  Even though my armor is battle-scarred and maybe even falling off a little, as long as I continue to stand firm in Him, He will continue to fight my battles for me.  (I just need to let Him.)

- He has sent friends, family, other loved ones, and Godly counsel to this earth to help me when I need it--which is all the time.....

- When I feel unloved, He LOVES me.  (Did I ever tell you that my favorite song when I was a little girl was "Jesus Loves Me?")

Thank You, Lord (and Rev. Hamlet), for this wonderful "gentle reminders."  I needed them today......