the greatest (love) story ever told...

otherwise known as elevation pt. 2.  today was absolutely incredible, and i'm glad i was able to experience worship there again.  

two significant things i realized today:

1. we really live out the greatest love story ever told.  forget the notebook, romeo and juliet, taylor swift (gag), twilight (yawn).  God, in the flesh, came down from heaven, took on human form, and died for my sins--before anyone reading this blog was physically conceived!  what's more, is that he loves me in spite of all my mess-ups and failures.  and that's pretty amazing. 

2. we spend way too much time complaining and not enough time praising. i can think of about fifteen things (finances, friendships, moving, housing for next year, camp, graduation, family issues...that's only seven, but that's just off the top of my head) that i've worried or stressed about in the last week. and yet, the words of Psalm 103 are true.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise His holy name..."

i'm telling myself, cast off the worry and doubt and fear.  the God that provided for my salvation through the horrendous death of His only son, and who became flesh to see to it that this was accomplished, will take care of me.  He's forgiven me.  He loves me.  He wraps His arms around me each day and night and only wants me to come and rest in Him.  So, isn't this enough?

i'm challenging myself to write in my prayer journal every day this week. it's going to be a hard week, with a lot of lasts.  but in every journal even with the sadness, i am determined to find specific things to praise God for on that day, even if it a painful day.  

Bless Him, who is so good to his wavering, unfaithful, and prodigal children.