"All your children are gathering to return to you," the Lord says, "As surely as I live, your children will be like jewels that a bride wears proudly." -Isaiah 49:18
My daughter just came home from her first year of university in England. She's been 4,400 miles away, on the other side of the Atlantic ocean, and oh how I have missed her. The distance and separation has been heartbreaking at times. She's 5 time zones away, and a 9 hour plane ride, which makes it very difficult for me to do all the "mom things" that I love to do so much. But, now that she is home, it is my great joy to spend time with her, give her rest, and to build her up.
This morning as I read the Psalms, it dawned on me that our Heavenly Father feels the same way about us. We are His children, and He longs for us to come home too. He also wants to spend time with us: give us rest, and build us up so that we can go back into the world - armed with love, support, and refreshment.
God is a safe house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry that you knocked.
-Psalm 9:9-10 (MSG)
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know that he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?
- Psalm 127:2 (MSG)
It's summer, and my kids are home, and while I am enjoying my time with them, I am also reminded to stay close to my Heavenly Father - to keep returning to Him - spending time with Him, and allowing Him to love, support, and refresh me.
God's love, though, is ever and always
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his covenant ways
and remember to do what he said.
Psalm 103:17-18
God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start.
Now I am alert to God's ways;
now I don't take God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works;
I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
and I am watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.
Psalm 18:20-24 (MSG)
We're not keeping this to ourselves,
we're passing it along to the next generation -
God's fame and fortune,
the marvelous things he has done.
Psalm 78:3-4 (MSG)
Every God-direction is road tested.
Everyone who runs toward him, Makes it.
Psalm 18: 29 (MSG)
God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.
Psalm 121:7-8 MSG)
And speaking of summer, have you seen these new pieces? This spring, I created a new collection of dainty, tin-cup style necklaces and bracelets designed to appeal to younger hearts. They are part of the "Draw Near" collection and are available in both sterling silver and gold filled, and in multiple lengths.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Happy Summer! May we give rest to our children, and find rest in our God.
XO
Sarah
