Jesus Loves Me - Works Every Time

Jesus Loves Me, This I know...

For the Bible tells me so <3 

 

 

 

 

Who remembers this old time classic hymn tailored for children. Young and old sing it still to this day!

This song. Gets us through the day AND the night.

We have an amazing 18 month old babygirl. She is so smart, talented, obviously cute! A heart of gold, a pure soul who loves deeply and cares for others! But let's be real.. She is a toddler about to hit the "terrible-twos" ok, ok, honestly? She already has!! Boy, mommy and daddy are having so much fun with this. (Insert sarcasm here) During each moment of pain, distress, tiredness, and confusion on how to relay her messages to us. We sing this to her. And the peace and calmness stills her heart.

 

Don't get us wrong. Our sweet angel will never be this age again. She will soon be off to college, married with her own family. So even in the difficult meltdowns where a little tiny person throws herself onto the floor kicking and screaming..

We still embrace this season. Yes, it's frustration and sometimes painful. From the high pitched screams piercing our heads, to the painful event of having to walk away to show her it's not going to work and she will not get her way. Tough Love... Only because, we can't allow her to have all that sugar, or to jump all over the couch to fall and get seriously injured, or climb that high shelf. All the "no's" that trigger the complete meltdowns are all out of love and protection for our baby.

 

The same way Jesus is to us. We pray and want things NOW.. But God protects us by saying No, not now, or wait, I have something better for you. He doesn't ignore our cries. He knows our hearts desires, especially when we bring them to Him everyday all day. He hears us. What is important to us, is important to Him. Even the smallest detail. But, He is the God of the universe. He lines everything up to work for good, and for His Glory, and we have to trust that if He says no right now. He is setting up our hearts desires in His time.

 

 

Take my current very impatient hearts desire story for example..

Through my entire life, from about 5th grade on. Wait, it goes back further. My daddy has a long history in music. I've been around it my entire life, from my own daddy singing Jesus loves me while cradled in his arms to being in chorus at school, to church singings I attended with him. Then as I grew, I found a little church that was on our road. I walked to it every Sunday and Wednesday and was in the choir. I felt like the biggest star on that stage. I saw the people around me singing to this man named Jesus. 

 I began learning songs and sang solo. Began visiting churches to sing for them in the evening. A night of worship. I grew and found non-denominational churches, after growing up Baptist. I learned a new contemporary reallllly deep anointed praise Jesus type Worship. I went deeper and fell in love with this man named Jesus.

 I always "loved" him and knew of Him. But did not KNOW Him, or be "in love" with Him. This was new, scary, but amazing and intriguing. Once I let go, which one night was at a women's retreat in Myrtle Beach NC. I let go and surrendered to this new worship.

 The song was Kim Walker, How He Loves. 

 This became my life song. And once I tasted this love of Jesus, I have never been able to get enough.

 Never been on one? GO! Taste His Love and be in His presence! You will be changed forever!

 

 

At the time of this new found love.

I was in a deep hurtful abusive relationship, and I learned that I was His Bride, and Jesus loved me deeply enough to call me His own. His Beloved. At this time. I did not have a husband like this, one who cared for me humbly, to protect me, not hurt me. To love me with unconditional love. So, Jeremiah 29:11 became my life verse. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

 

 

?? I wanted this type of promise!

 

 If I really sought Him, He would give me a future and hope, to not hurt me, but to prosper! Wow! All I had to do was seek Him, trust Him, Love Him?

I was so desperate to be out of pain. So I sought, I wrote about Him, daily listened to music of praise and worship. Read and studied, memorized His word. He gave me verses like Song of Solomon 2:10-11 "My beloved spoke unto me, Rise up my love and come away. The winter is past, the rain is over and gone." ?? Wow again. The rain is finally over! All my pain?

His beloved? Rise up and follow Him. THEN at a women's retreat a few days later. Our retreat was named "Walking with my beloved" (which is also the current song I was meditating on day and night. Kari Jobe My Beloved) 

 

Kari Jobe became my inspiration! Her songs, I meditated on day and night and in my deepest pain. I've had the privilege to meet her twice and going again in 2 days! Find her, listen to her! You will be changed!

At the retreat, one activity was to put rice in the heat or cool packs for headaches, and sew them up. On them was this verse! Song of Soloman 2:10-11.  We then walked on a hike, each stopping point had verses to keep going. Strangely the rest of the trip had so much fog at this beautiful cabin high on the mountain top. We walked with faith to the next point, even beside beautiful streams. Each verse was so strangely about the event we were in. Stopping to hear the birds chirp in the complete quietness was about listening to Gods Word, being still and hearing him. And so on. We realized on the trip home, that in the strangeness of the Fog the moment we arrived, which was sunny and beautiful, the Fog rolled in and never left. We realized we had to trust Him for each step that we could not see before us. And we felt peace as we called it Favor Of God.. Fog :)

 

 

This was an amazing experience. He then showed me a verse, that He had seen the violence done to me and that He would go before me, and rescue me! I was anxious to return home where my abuser was. I felt peace at this moment. God promised to go before me and would rescue me. 3 days later! I found my daddy. Well, I got ahold of my daddy. This certain abuser kept me away from phones or anything that would let me be in touch with my family. They came hours from Tn to Nc to get me. I was rescued!!!

I got back on my feet, and never forgot my dream to lead worship for others. I did at several churches for awhile. Doors kept getting shut though. I had to trust. Ok, this season is over. But you have a calling for me God please lead me. Well, I have been over a year now without a place to lead. I keep asking God. Why the silence? Why can I not have my hearts desire? He keeps telling me, Patience, I am preparing you for something amazing. Well, Last Sunday He lead us to a church right here in our own home town. I never heard about it! We loveeeeed it! And I met the worship leader, actually spoke to him through email. Had never met him before this email! Once I visit a few times we will visit the subject of me in worship! We want our daughter planted stable to grow in a church. So here we go! Patience paid off. I never stopped trusting him.

 

 

Oh! I keep saying "we" because I am now, after 5 years from being away from my abuser. God promised me that husband that would be like Jesus. I met him, am now married, stable, beautiful life, beautiful daughter. I am completely blessed, because I stayed faithful to His promises!

 

 

Back to Jesus Loves Me and how this song works? I kept my eyes on the praise and worship songs that lead me, inspired me and helped me grow, even in my deepest pain. Well, we sing this to our daughter before bed EVERY night. She expects it. And to see her sit up in bed, dance and sing along with us, is the most precious sight I will ever see in my lifetime. I know Jesus is smiling down! We also sing this when she is hurting, crying, pitching fits and really distressed. It works every time, the tears stop, she is calm. And she remembers how this song means peace to her. And that mommy and daddy are right here protecting her. Just like this man named Jesus is. She does not know who he is, but she knows, he is important. And this.. is how the old classic song, Jesus Loves Me works. The short song, we all learned in Sunday School. It seemed so simple and easy to learn and maybe you got tired of singing it. And it meant nothing to you. We can sing it forward and backward today because it was implanted in our brains every week! But its this simple song, that stuck with us. And If you really meditate on the words of the song.. You'll find the peace of the promise in each word.

 

It says so! It is written! Amen. Done, Finished, No changing it! He loves us! Died for us! And we have an eternal life of love, joy, peace, no pain, to worship His name forever!

 

 

Jesus Loves Me

This I know

For the Bible

Tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak

But He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

 

Our children, are weak when it comes to not understanding the pain. The table they just bumped their head on, the concrete as it scrapped their little knee and brought blood. They don't understand yet. But He is strong and promises to bring them comfort as well as mommy and daddy being the voice to sing that song to them. The influence we have on our children last. Just like the Sunday School teacher that taught us that song. I am sure we don't even know the name of that teacher today. BUT. He or She was a blessing and was brought into our lives to plant that seed that helps us grow today and instill in our children for their future.

 

 

Find your song that works. The verse. The one to bring you joy, peace and inspire YOU.
Seek it like Gold and Silver, remember that first high school dance? That song that brings back memories?? Study Gods Word and songs (Psalms) The love songs back to Him, the one who protects us. And wants our love! 

 

Proverbs 22:6 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

 

 

What you teach them, they will know. Choose wisely. Be blessed on YOUR journey :) 

The memories made when I humbled myself before God...

 

 

Life has thrown brick after brick at me

 

From depression, anxiety, relationship issues, to the never ending work being a stay at home mom. Which has more blessings than I could ever count. Though it doesn't make it any easier. Keeping your thoughts consistently on another human being. Dying to myself everyday to make sure she is happy, healthy, warm, fed, and safe. Some days, well... at least once EVERY day, I feel like curling up in a blanket in a closet somewhere and just hiding away for awhile.

 

 

The moment she lays down for a nap. I feel like I can breathe for a moment, but then I struggle with the thoughts of, "Do I clean the house, do I work on a much needed put off project, do I take that time for myself to write, read, take a nap if I choose?" By the time I have struggled with these thoughts for more than an hour or so and then accomplished absolutely nothing. I hear her stirring. She's up!

 

Today I hit rock bottom for a few minutes. Which is always a blessing! I put her down for a nap, sat down on the couch and did NOTHING. Didn't care to put the tv on, didn't care to read or write. I actually, just cried. I felt so overwhelmed, worn down, tired. And so I had nowhere else to turn, except Jesus.

 

"Jesus, please give me strength to be a better mother, to have the energy and passion to get out of the house for my daughters sake, to play outside, to go to a playground.. anything!" I end up holding my daughter captive in the house all day due to my social anxiety. Or due to the fact that just getting her in the car and getting in and out of a grocery store literally takes the life out of me. AND for some unknown reason, I suffer from some type of abnormality that when I am in the sun for a few minutes, I am drained, I begin to shake, I feel weak and sick to my stomach.

 

All this, my daughter has to suffer due to my illnesses and insecurities. "So I prayed, "YOU have to take this Lord, I just can't do this on my own. She doesn't deserve it. My husband doesn't deserve to be mistreated after working hard all day to provide for his family only because I am worn out from chasing a toddler all day. It's not of God, and it's very sinful, for me to complain, to not be loving.

 

 

All of these things I have mentioned seem like tiring chores on days I forget to seek God in all I do. These, are actually blessings. I have a beautiful babygirl, demanding my love and attention, wisdom and guidance. She will only be this small today, tomorrow she will be another day older and another day closer to leaving her innocent childhood. And the day will come I won't have the cute pitter patter of feet running around. Or ABC blocks to trip over. The cry in the middle of the night wanting mommy and daddy to come give her a fresh diaper, a sip of milk and to remind her she is safe and loved.

 

As I cried and asked God humbly for strength to show my husband and daughter how thankful I am for them, and the strength to give them what they need. She made a whimper, telling me she wasn't ready for a nap. I sat and asked forgiveness from my husband.. And he said "there is no apology needed, that he loved me and will always stand by me." Wow, what a blessing. And then next, I all of a sudden had the energy to put my daughter in her swim suit, head to the porch for some sunshine and to play in the water hose. She ate TWO popsicles and loved playing in the water.

 

 

Mommy got on the ground and played with her. And I thought, we should run to the store and pick up a wading pool, and the next thought hit me... mommy is on the ground playing with her, the water hose is spinning like a snake splashing her and she's laughing. What else could we possibly need at this moment. I snapped a few photos. She got sleepy, reached for mommy to pick her up, dry her off, and lay her down. Nap time is here, and mommy is able to sit down and write out her thoughts and blessings. My day, that I thought was gonna be tiring and a hindrance to MY selfish wants and needs.... turned out beautiful, to see her gorgeous smile and hear that laugh..

 

 

What else could a girl dream of? And just think. All I did was humble myself before God and with my whole heart and soul, tell him I couldn't do this on my own. And that is all he ever asked for.

 

Show Appreciation

Colossians 2:7

"Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done."

 

 

 

 

 

Whom do you need to thank? A host of people have helped you! Did you ever thank your sixth grade teacher, or the coach who taught you to work hard?

Have you thanked the person who led you to Jesus? The counselor who helped you overcome?

 

A few well chosen words of gratitude go a long way!

 

 

 

1 Timothy <3 "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

 

Romans 13:7 <3 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe... revenue, then revenue, if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

 

God wants us to reward those who have sacrificed to help us grow!

 

 

 

2 weeks ago, my husband and I, who have barely been married a year, are unfortunately having the "1st year of marriage struggle"... so we sat in a conference room with our pastor and the elders of our church.

 

James 5:16 <3 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

 

A church body, church family, elders, mature Christians, are God given gifts to help us grow. To encourage and lift us up. We cannot do this thing called LIFE on our own. We must look to God first and foremost.

 

 

 

We prayed to our church family about us growing together in Christ. And how the enemy is prowling to devour us, to kill, steal and destroy anything that is bringing God glory in our lives. God has big plans for our lives together. To serve Him, to spread His message. To raise our beautiful babygirl to be a woman of God. If the enemy can distract us in any way, he can and will. We have to stand firm in our faith. Pray together and encourage each other everyday!

 

 

Today, my husband and I owe respect, honor and thanksgiving to these honorable men of God who came together to lift us up and pray.

 

Matthew 18:20 <3 "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

 

The past few weeks I have been doing a study, "When God writes your love story"

Everyday, I write in my journal how I am thankful for my husband, thankful for all of my blessings. Even days that I don't feel like picking up my bible, and barely have the strength to breathe much less pray... my love and obedience for Him gives me strength. And I am training my brain to "live as if God has answered all of my prayer requests."

 

If I don't "like" my husband on a certain day. I'll pray harder, and write it out in black and white why and how I love him. I do not speak unkindly about him, or negative. I write out positive blessings, and believe me, THIS WORKS! Train your brain to be thankful and grateful, even more on days you just don't want to. God blesses this obedience and love. Live by faith, that God has already answered your prayers!

 

 

Even this certain morning, I felt defeated before I rolled out of bed.

 

 

While making my family breakfast with a very poor spirited heart, I noticed my daughter laughing and loving on daddy. Daddy, who was getting dressed to go away from his family to earn a dollar. A hungry kitty and puppy relying on me to feed their tummies. Warm heat since it was chilly, food that I was preparing, a cartoon playing for her. All of this? LOOK, how blessed I am. I re trained my thoughts to BEAUTIFUL instead of negative. Yes, I am tired, I'd rather be curled up in bed. But my daughter? This is the last day she will be 15 months and 28 days, the last morning as a 15 month 28 day old babygirl who needs her mommy to cook breakfast and sing Abcs with her.

 

 

She will grow too quickly and these days will be gone. My precious husband driving through traffic to get to the office, tomorrow is never promised with our loved ones. And guess what? As I walked him to the car and hugged him. I was immediately in love with him all over again. God gave me such a precious gift this morning. And without a doubt. Its due to my obedience, to love and trust that God knows what He is doing..

 

 

I have to daily give God the pen to write my love story. And have faith that He knows what I need. Instead of frantically praying like a woman with NO faith, I began to praise God for all I know to be true about him instead of my feelings. My feelings at that moment were negative, hateful, tired, and not clear. My faith, was that God is good, and He gave me a beautiful family to take care of and love..

 

The word Faith is defined as: persuasion, moral conviction, of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher. especially reliance upon Christ for salvation.

Taking the definition apart, faith is living fully persuaded of God's abilities and character. Faith is conviction, a full commitment to the truth and living out what you know intellectually. Faith is relying consistently on God because you believe.

 

 

How are YOU living, how am I living?? Are we shouting at God? Are we angry at His plan? At his timetable? What prayer requests are dominating our days and keeping us up at night?

 

 

Write out how you would live if God answered them all! Would you be less preoccupied? Would you be able to "be in the moment" rather than always planning and fretting? Would you have a longer fuse? Would you treat people differently? Write it out... then live it out!

 

 

 

I have a book shelf  FULL of journals.

Writing things in black and white make it reality to me! This is the way I learn and process my thoughts. You may have a different way of learning or studying. But if you have something in your life you are struggling with, depression, addiction, relationship issues, write it out as though God has erased it! Do it daily! It Is Done! He says, It is finished. TRUST. THIS and LOVE are His commands. <3