Morning Kisses

Years ago I wrote a post called Kisses From God . I encourage you to read it. Then return here. 

Kisses underneath a beautiful breathtaking star-filled sky are different than early morning kisses when hair is messy and dragon's breath escapes through dry lips. Early morning kisses are the I-really-do-love-all-of-you kisses. Over 15 years have passed, but not a birthday goes by that I don't remember being just barely conscience and being told Happy Birthday and feeling my Jim's lips on my face. It made me feel so cherished. So known inside and out. And still loved. Flaws and failures known. And still treated like a treasure. 

This week as I pitter-pattered down the hallway to make sure Snipp was waking up for work, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful sunrise. I stopped and stared. It was breathtaking. Pink and orange and just mesmerizing. And within my soul I felt like I had been kissed on the cheek by God. I just stood there for several moments not wanting to break the tenderness of the moment.  I felt so loved, deeply loved, cherished, treasured. It was unexpected and made me smile. After I checked on Snipp, and started breakfast, I slipped outside to take another look. All the colors had faded away. The sky looked like it was going to be completely cloudy and dreary all day. 

I stepped back inside and smiled. How personal is God to you? And when I say God, I am meaning the God of the Bible. The Almighty One who made heaven and earth. The One Who Is Love Who sent His Son to die for you. For me. This God is so personal. 

The next morning I hit snooze. Half awake and with anticipation I pitter pattered down the hallway again. I caught the very end of a much less dazzling sunrise, but it was still pretty. Still a reminder of how personal God is. I am human and will surely sleep past sunrise sometime soon. For now though, I am enjoying these early morning moments, just my Creator and me.

The words to the song I'm Amazed echo in my mind.

Words & music by Cary Schmidt & Steve Amerson 

©2001 Steve Amerson Music & Cary Schmidt (BMI) 

In God’s heart there’s space 

That I was made to fill 

I find amazing grace 

When I’m found within His will 

He’s reserved a sacred place 

Where we can spend the day 

He is waiting there for me 

Inviting me to stay 

And every day I’m amazed 

That God would spend the day with me 

I’m overwhelmed by His ways 

That He could feel such love for me 

To Him I’m worth saving 

And my heart is craving

To know Him in His righteousness 

And understand His ways 

Everyday, in every way 

I’m amazed 

In my heart there’s space 

That only God can fill 

He covers my disgrace 

With the blood that Jesus spilled 

And He invites me to a place 

Where we can spend the day

He is waiting there for me 

Inviting me to stay

Darkness

Continuing on my study of the word "walk" in my Bible, I read this verse in Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. 

Not that we walked in darkness, though we did. But we were sometimes darkness.

It sits heavy on the heart, but it is true. Everyone of us has been darkness to someone in this world. Maybe it was harsh words spoken, or a mean joke. Ignoring them or gossiping about them. We might have bullied others or attacked someone in writing. We have too often done the devil's dirty work for him. Stolen joy. Killed hope. Destroyed someone's faith.  In our selfishness, in our greed, in our jealousy, in our pride, in our sinfulness .......we have been darkness. 

But I am so thankful the verse doesn't stop there. "...but now are ye light in the Lord" Amen! The Lord didn't leave us as darkness. He made a way for us to be light. When we put our trust in Him, we become light in Him. And like a candle in the darkness we can bring hope to others. 

Lastly, the verse admonishes us to "...walk as children of light." Not just be light. But walk as children of the light. Walking requires action. There are many ways to describe walking . But in particular we are to walk as children, as children of the light. Children of God. 

Observe  how children walk.  Do they ever simply walk? Not usually. They hop or skip. Run or stomp. Children are very expressive in their walk. As children of the light, we need to be expressive. People in this world of darkness should see Christians as different. Their walk should be different. We should be recognized as a Christian by our walk.  

Children who have a good relationship with their parents enjoy being with them. They trust their parents. And when they cross busy streets or crowded areas with danger, they draw close to them. When they are in places of peace and joy, they may run to and fro, but they return to the parents to tell and show them their discoveries. And so should it be with us, as children of the light. We need to draw close with our Father. 

My closing thought is of a children's song. Many of you know it. "Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine." Don't be a closet Christian. Our world has much darkness. We used to be a part of that darkness. Upon salvation we became light. We are no longer a part of that darkness. Shine for Christ! Let your love for Christ bring hope and light to others.