So we come to the end of the first month of 2012. January, you’re over with. Thank you for such a wonderful introduction to this new year.

“January’s Journey” I termed it. And it was definitely a journey … but more than anything, I think it was more a realization that it’s just a snippet of the larger journey we’re all on called life. Though nothing completely earth-shattering happened this month, all the little things that occurred – each new thought or understanding – each release or surrender – each idea and possibility – combined to build up to the slow changing of a person over time. Like the heat of steam loosening and softening the vegetables in the bubbling water, so my Father’s love loosened and softened my heart toward His even more.

The beauty of that love? Well, it became ever clearer to me as I came to see just how unconditional it is. My Father doesn’t just love me when I feel feelings of love toward Him. He doesn’t just love me when I’m doing “what I’m supposed to be doing.” He doesn’t have days where He loves me less because I’m feeling discouraged and apathetic, or more when I have a mountain-top experience and a passionate worship service.

No.

He loves me every moment in between.

The moments when I’m sitting on the bus, reading my next assignment. The moments when I’m having lunch or dinner with a friend, laughing and sharing life. The moments when the energy won’t come and I have to force myself to have discipline. The moments when I have no joy in reading Scripture and I decide to skip reviewing verses and the routine becomes mundane. The moments of discovering new friendships … strengthening old ones … of eating ice cream and watching movies … of dancing and hugging and giving thanks … of incredible joy and unlimited imagination … of dreams coming true and friends who pray with me and lift me up. He loves me in the moments that I’ve now forgotten about … He loves me in the memories I know will stay with me forever.

He loves me because He has promised that His love will never fail. “… neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) His love is so much bigger than my fears or failures, and the joy is in that discovery day by day.

His love lets me keep learning. A lesson I’ve learned so many times and forgotten over and over, He gently brings to the forefront and allows me grace to learn it again. Thank You, Abba.

{January: two letters written, one to each of my two oldest sisters. Danced twice, yes, thanks to a lovely little Latin dance class. 🙂 And did two things I’ve never done before (both on the same night!): visited a Toastmasters meeting, and finally attended the Edge Eastern campus Bible study.}

The year is off to a beautiful start. May we continue to experience the fullness of His love and the richness of His grace each new day … embracing the lessons He brings to light and sharing them with others. His name alone be glorified.