I (Tracy) can’t wait for you to encounter what God has planned in advance for you to read, not just in this piece, but in each post in the weeks ahead. We did something a little different this time around: each of us has prayed & selected a word to share with you. Did you know you are …?
Check back each week to see what my friends have to share about the word they were given. I believe God desires to bury each idea into our hearts as an encouragement. That is our prayer for each of you reading, that you are encouraged. Read on and be encouraged friend!
Last year I had a rotating family of birds flocking to my window planter. Before you get visions of pretty blooms, fragrant and in season as their host, let me correct that visual. All the flower box contained was dirt and some dead sticks. Nothing warm and welcoming about that. Curb appeal? Not even a little bit!
Each day I’d gaze out the window expectantly to see mama bird sitting patiently in the prickly remnant of the previous season’s foliage. Mama bird seemed perfectly content to set aside any discomfort there might have been and wait. Often by herself. There she sat, perched and on mission. She knew her purpose ─ help those baby birds thrive. Feed them. Nourish them. Protect them.
I never did get flowers planted in my window box last year. They were purchased and sat in the shade waiting for the day when the birds flew the nest, so to speak. But as soon as one family left, another moved in. I didn’t even have to advertise the home was for sale. It was as if I’d started an inn for these peaceful creatures just looking for a safe place to land. They were never evicted, even though I did long to see pretty blooms while working from my desk.
Instead, I got to see an example of God’s word coming alive in an almost literal way.
“What is the price of five sparrows─two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.─Luke 12:6-7 NLT
Often when I looked out my window, I’d think of this verse. God cared so much about those birds that He had provided for them through me.
The provision was left there in advance waiting for the day He knew those birds would need it. It sat there ALL WINTER LONG. Maybe you have been in a winter season. Take heart, my friend, God has provision waiting for you. It’s been there ALL WINTER LONG.
Not only did God provide well in advance, but He stopped me from “stealing” what He had provided for them. I could have taken down the window planter before mama bird laid her eggs. I knew why she was settling in. I could have even tried to transplant them, I suppose, to a home more to my liking. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. God gave me a tenderness for the little bird families who came to my flower box inn. I desired to protect them from any predators, shooing away any other birds who had ill intent.
Mama bird always eyed me suspiciously, always alert, always on duty. God gave her the stamina to sit up strong & observant.
He gives us that provision as well. We can sit up strong and observant to see what He has for us, to protect us from predators, and to receive His provision. Even if it’s through a storm.
I saw the mama bird shelter her babies, shielding them from rain and wind. It’s such a beautiful picture of what the Lord does for us. He is our shelter. He is our refuge through every storm.
And He paid far more that two copper coins to save us. He paid with His life.
That’s how valuable we are!
You, me, we … we’re all more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. You, me we … we are cherished.
Do you know you are cherished?
You are cherished my friend!
Cherish isn’t a word we hear very often in today’s culture. I wish it were. I’m drawn to it like a bug to a light. We might hear it at a wedding ceremony, a command for bride and groom to cherish one another. It’s a good command. But what does it mean, exactly?
cherish
to hold or treat as dear; feel love for
to care for tenderly; nurture
to cling fondly or inveterately
In the synonym study, it goes on to say “giving affection, care, or shelter to something. CHERISH suggests regarding or treating something as an object of affection or as valuable”.
My friend, YOU are the object of God’s affection. He VALUES you so much! I am cherished and so are you.
Remember, God provides for the birds. He will provide for you. YOU are more valuable than a whole flock of sparrows. He has window sill after window sill of provision for each of us. His storehouses are unlimited. We can’t contain the Lord’s goodness. It is immeasurable because HE is immeasurable. No eye has seen or ear heard all that He has for us. (1 Cor 2:9) Not a one. But I can guarantee you this, if you’ve surrendered your life to God, you have an amazing future ahead for all eternity.
Maybe you haven’t let God have your heart yet. He’s pursuing it, because He cherishes you. You’ll have an opportunity at the end of this post to say a prayer and surrender your heart to Him if that is your desire.
Deep down, don’t we all want to be cherished? I think that desire is hard wired into us so that we will seek out a relationship with Jesus. He’s already seeking one with us!
Let this next verse capture our hearts.
“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.─Luke 12:8 NLT
The Son of capital “M” Man is Jesus. He cherishes you so much He will also acknowledge YOU in the presence of His angels when you acknowledge Him publicly here on earth.
God cherishes you so much that He celebrates you with the angels.
Let that sink in. Please don’t miss the blessing of that truth.
Imagine Jesus celebrating YOU with the angels. What does that look like? What is He saying? What are they doing? What are the sights and sounds that might be going on as Jesus acknowledges you and I with angels in the heavenly realm? Envision it.
Wow!
God gives us the provision of His Word to reveal His heart for us, to reveal deep truths that we need to bury into our heart as a protection from the toils of this world. It’s not without trouble.
The other day I saw a coyote out my window, definitely not as appealing as the cute little birds. It was a bit terrifying actually. The coyote walked right up our sidewalk. We live in a town home. There are young children and many small pets the coyote could prey upon. My dog, Enoch, could easily be carried off by Road Runner’s nemesis.
Early one morning as I was walking Enoch after the coyote sighting, I was fighting away fear. It was dark. No one was around. I was very observant, looking to see if any predator was lurking. I was on high alert. It came to me then, I should pray. After all, I don’t want fear to paralyze and steal the joy of being able to walk my dog. As I was walking I prayed for God’s protection.
He said to my heart, “I will protect you.”
Moments later I found myself splayed out in the snow. I’d slipped and fallen on the icy surface hidden beneath the fresh flurries. I didn’t see the trouble lurking there, because I was very focused on that coyote problem.
A little disgruntled, I grumbled to God, “I thought you were going to protect me.” (Not a completely unreasonable thought since not even a minute had passed since He’d said He would.)
Guess what He impressed upon my heart.
“You didn’t get hurt.”
True that.
Who knows how many angels He sent my way to catch my fall? Maybe one day He’ll show me.
God did protect me.
I was unharmed. I could have hit my head. I could have broken a bone. I could have been knocked unconscious in the snow. None of that happened.
We don’t always see God’s protection when we think we’ve fallen victim to something or someone. But He’s always looking out for us. Always. He provides. We just don’t always see it. I think it’s okay to question and ask God. I don’t think He gets mad at us like people want to portray Him. I’ve experienced so much of His grace and mercy — immeasurable.
Think about how many times you see a child ask, “Why?” They’re curious and they want to know.
I think God can do something pretty amazing with our curious hearts. Ask your questions. And expect He will provide answers. He cherishes you enough to provide divine insight and wisdom. He’ll teach you how to hear what He is saying. I know because He has taught, and is teaching me in new ways, how to “hear” Him. You see, when you cherish someone, you want nothing more than to have a sweet relationship with them. God wants that with each of us. Remember, to be cherished means you’re valued. You are valued by God. You are VALUABLE, a treasure to Him.
So, if you are on a journey to really (I mean really) believe you are cherished, look for ways God is providing for you. You will see His hand of goodness if you look for it. Sometimes it’s hard to see (like when I fell on the ice). Other times it’s easy to see (like the birds having a safe home). Either way, God is providing.
So what it is it that you need? Ask God. Remember, the answer might not look like we think, but He’ll answer. Would you deny your children whom you cherish good things? No. Most parents want to give their children more than they themselves had. God is WAY more generous than we are. Expect good things from Him, not in a spoiled and entitled way. Rather, knowing He is good and faithful, generous and kind.
Do you need peace? Pray He fills that vessel to overflowing. Do you need love? Pray He fills your heart to fullness of measure and then some. Do you need literal financial provision? Pray God provides opportunities and resources. Do you need healing? Pray God delivers it to you, cleansing and purifying every cell in your body.
Because He cherishes you, He will provide an encounter with Him through it all. Watch for Him. There is evidence all around. We just need to notice it. Slow down and notice my friends.
Don’t miss the sweet provision of His presence.
I will praise you every day;
Yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
Let them proclaim your power.─Psalm 145:2-4 NLT
I have a “baby bird”, not so little anymore. I want him to know the greatness of the Lord. God has been incredibly faithful in my life. If you knew me before I knew Jesus, you’d be saying amen (a little on the loud side)! We are never too far from God’s reach no matter how far we stray. And, man alive, when God gets ahold of our hearts, there’s a whole heap of His glory to be revealed.
God provided a way out of our sin. He sent His Son. Jesus was the sacrifice given in advance of our need. Let me reassure you nothing you have done is beyond His forgiveness. Nothing you have done is beyond His mercy. Nothing you have done is beyond the reach of His salvation.
Receive it as a precious provision paid for each of us, His children. Then don’t hold back sharing with every generation the mighty acts the Lord has done in your life. We will proclaim His power.
Join me in receiving God’s provision for the first time, or maybe a renewed strength and vitality as you bask in the fullness of being a cherished child of God.
“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.─Luke 12:8 NLT
Prayer: Jesus, I do acknowledge You publicly here on earth. Thank You for the promise that You will acknowledge me in the presence of angels. Thank You for cherishing me enough to send Your Son to pay in advance for my sin. Thank You for providing for my every need, not necessarily how I think it needs to be provided for, but how You see best. You see the unseen. You know what’s ahead, and You protect me. Thank You, Lord! Help me to hear Your voice and to know where You are leading. Help me listen and obey. Help me ask excellent questions and answer every genuine inquiry I have. Thank You that You know every hair on my head. You know everything about me, and none of it phases You. Thank You for helping me bury the truth in my heart that I am cherished, that I am cherished by You. And when I get a grasp on that, help me to help others know how much You cherish them too. You have a heart for all of us that is beyond understanding, but we thank You and praise You that you do, in Jesus’ name, amen!
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