Love You Tender

I remember as a little girl listening to the song Love Me Tender by Elvis over and over again, just like it was the sweetest of lullabies. It brought me peace and made me dream of a love that I longed to know. Though I am blessed to share deeply loving relationships here on earth, I have found that the most tender love comes from the Author of Love, the Maker and Keeper of my soul. He loves purely, through and through.

"The Lord appeared to him from afar saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'"

His love changed me long ago, and I pray that it keeps changing me the more I come to know Him daily. As I think back to specific times I've prayed to love Him more or experience more of the knowledge of His love, I kind of have to laugh, because He has taught me through unlikely circumstances. Very often, He will put me to work or present me with a choice to exercise allowing His love to flow through me, even when I don't think it's a fair situation, personally. When I choose to surrender, I soak up a little more of His love. It's not that His love is changing in measure, for He is always consistent, but my capacity in the willingness to give and receive is the barometer.

For me, Africa is an exercise in love, and I don't know what that looks like right here, right now. I know I talked about vision in the last blog, and I am searching for more there than what I mentioned; but I am hearing the word love. Can I tell you how scary that is for me at this point of my life? I am beyond tired and weary from painful life issues where love has been broken, tested and redefined, and I feel empty inside way too often. Even still, He comes with His abundant supply of all that I need and fills me.

That's what I am counting on for Africa--an outpouring of more of Himself, no agenda, but just to experience the Tenderest of Loves by loving tenderly, which will only happen, really, by truly surrendering unto Him my worn out soul for the filling. He Who calls me (us) is faithful, and He will do it! (1 Thes. 5:24)

I'm wondering if there are any extra special ways that you intentionally show your love for God? Is there anything He has called upon you to do specifically to demonstrate His love to someone else? In addition to what's been shared, how do you want to express your love to the kids at Wellington? And, how has the Lord shown His great love for you lately?

Just a few questions...answer all/answer one/ answer none...but I'm praying that we all dive deeper into His love today, as we travel to Africa, and forevermore.
Jen M.