Lavish Love

Guest poster, Elisabeth Corcoran, author of the new book, He Is Just That Into You:

He Is Just That Into You 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. I John 3:1a

This is the kind of verse that makes me sigh, in a good, deep way. 

How great is the love.  It is huge, it is wide, is in matchless, it is unmistakable, it is powerful, it is fearless, it is pursuing, it is relentless, it is freeing. 

The Father.  Abba.  Daddy.  Heavenly, divine, otherworldy.  Won’t let us down.  Won’t walk away.  Won’t say harsh words.  Won’t withhold love.

Has lavished.  The word lavish conjures up luxury to me, abundance, more than enough, overflowing, without holding back, more than we’ll ever need or really know what to do with.

On us.  You.  Me.  The person we can’t stand.  The person who killed someone.  The person who hates someone.  Every single one of us.

That we should be called.  Purposed.  Destined.  Set apart.  Designated.  Labeled.  Claimed.

Children of God.  Taken care of, provided for, thought about, protected, taught, disciplined, doted on, loved. 

Lord, thank You for this lavish love, for calling us to Yourself.  Help us live in this Truth today…that we are Yours alone.   Amen.

© 2009 Elisabeth K. Corcoran

Elisabeth lives with her husband, Kevin, and middle-school children, Sara and Jack, in Elburn, Illinois. She is the author of He Is Just That Into You, a collection of essays about God’s faithfulness and love; the devotionals, In Search of Calm and Calm in My Chaos; and the monthly column, “Moments for Mom”. After ten years of leading Women’s Ministry and four years on staff at Christ Community Church, she devotes her time to speaking and writing, along with her passions of social justice and AIDS, which she engages in through her connections with Open Door Clinic and her church’s partnerships in Africa.

Bonus Post Today; Guest Post Friday

"A Safe Lap" is today’s guest post at Pearl Girls:

http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/2009/12/guest-blogger-karen-rabbitt.html

Pearl Girls button

On Friday, Elisabeth Corcoran, author of He Is Just That Into You, He Is Just That Into Youwill be my guest poster.

 

See more info about her book here:

Website  http://www.elisabethcorcoran.com   

Blog  http://elisabethcorcoran.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving, A to Z

 Nantucket Rose hips, beach copy

Papa-God,

You who are from the beginning and who have no end, I thank you at this time of thanksgiving for apple crisp and broccoli, for cabbage and dandelions. I love your egrets and your falcons inspire me. Your goodness surrounds me. Honesty and imagination join to create your joy in my heart. Kindness and love meld my spirit with yours. Nothing will ever separate me from you.

It is love that made the world with a word. Thank you. Nothing compares with you. Only your promise is worth living for. Thank you for quince and rose hips on the Nantucket beach. Thanks for sound, and for tulips. Under each piece of your creation, your beat goes on. Thank you for ears to hear.

Thank you for making us valuable, in your image. For forever counting us worth what we cost. "Who for the joy set before him, endured the cross." We are that joy. Along with xylophones, yeast, and zebras. I await the day when all creation will rise to worship.

I am waiting, with hope. You will come, with joy. Thank you.