“Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:16b-17
 
 
As the Tuscan sun sank lower over the River Arno, I sat satisfied with my day in Florence. Beginning with the market that morning followed by a walking tour of the old city, passed the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore with its famous dome to our wisteria-covered cooking school, the day was nothing short of perfect. Ravioli in a lemon cream sauce taught by a spry octogenarian was the result of the morning's culinary endeavors and our first course for lunch. Retracing our steps to the Galleria dell’Accademia for a close up view of Michelangelo's David and then browsing the plethora of shops filled our afternoon.
 
So here we sat. Satiated from our buffet dinner served al fresco at the rooftop restaurant, we watched the orange fire ball sink slowly into the night. This day wasn't over yet.
 
As we walked through twilit streets and over a bridge spanning the now dark Arno, we arrived at our destination - a beautiful old church, maintained so well as to look deceptively fresh and pristine within. The performance was about to begin.
 
The simple stage was merely the patterned tiled floor bounded by ornate arching columns surrounding a black-lacquered grand piano. The master of ceremonies was also the master of the keyboard and he began to play strains of beautiful music. Enter a man and a woman, he in a black tuxedo and black trimmed beard, her in a long, flowing evening dress, her hair twisted in a smooth knot. As the duo sang love songs in Italian, the audience was entranced. Opera being sung a few feet away by musicians who freely give of their talents all the while smiling with pure joy as they deliver every note and vibrato is something to experience. Even a non-opera lover couldn't resist falling under their spell.
 
I couldn't help but think how God loves to sing over us. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God is with us and as a mighty warrior, He saves us. We have nothing to fear. God not only doesn't rebuke us, He actually delights in us. God loves us so much He rejoices over us with singing. Just like the Florentine opera singers, God experiences joy as He sings over us. And the good news is, we don't have to travel to faraway places like Florence to experience joy, too. God rejoices over us day and night, just where we are. All we need to do is listen.
 
 
Lord, thank you for the lessons you are teaching me. The neighborhoods of Siena show me the need for community with others while the Florentine opera singers teach me of the joy in community with You. May the eyes of my heart be ever open to the lessons You want me to learn and may my ears be open to You. Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Ponte Santa Trinita (Saint Trinity Bridge), Florence, Italy.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”  Matthew 12:46-50
 
 
On a recent trip to Italy, I traveled to the town of Siena. As I explored the streets with its numerous shops, I found myself gravitating to the piazza, or square, in the center of town, called Piazza del Campo. An enormous clock tower stands sentinel to the imperceptible passage of time here. Buildings on either side of the clock tower form a circle. Restaurants open up to the piazza where many folks that warm day sat al fresco as they enjoyed their food and drink. Running along the perimeter of the piazza is a cobblestone circular street. I was to learn later this circular street serves double-duty.
 
As the “insider” tour around Siena began, I discovered a secret not typically divulged to outsiders. The city is divided into 17 neighborhoods or districts, each called a contrada. Originally designed in the Middle Ages to provide military troops to Siena, the contrade have evolved into groups of patriotism, each with their own council, church, socials, and neighborhood activities. Fierce loyalty to one’s own contrada takes precedence over family, for at their social gatherings, attendees are only allowed from that contrada. Family members who belong to different contrade are expected to attend their own contrada’s functions.
 
More well-known than the contrade is the annual Palio di Siena. Ten of the contrade compete in two different horse races held in July and August of each year in the Piazza del Campo. Dirt is dumped onto the street encircling the piazza transforming the street into a race track. Each race lasts less than 2 minutes. The winning contrada gives a month-long party to the other 16 contrade.
 
While loyalty to one’s contrada struck me as unusual, I was impressed by the tightness of their communities and their unwavering fidelity. I wonder if we hold similar allegiances. Perhaps we belong to a social or activities club or hang out with a tight-knit group of friends or neighbors. But what about our local church communities? Are we as loyal to our own church as the Sienans are to their contrade? Do we seek to get plugged in and connect with the folks at our church? It’s all too easy to just show up for a worship service and then leave. The less we get involved, the less time we’ll stay at that particular church before moving on. Our loyalty changes at the proverbial “drop of a hat”.
 
Jesus in Matthew 12:46-50 expressed a spiritual connection to His followers that He likened to family ties. He said that whoever does the will of His heavenly Father is indeed His family. Wouldn’t it be satisfying to be so connected with our fellow church-mates that we consider them family?
 
Not long ago, quite a few of my sisters in Christ came to my aid during a crisis. I am forever thankful for them and their care for me. Their love and concern is a huge example to me of what can happen when Christ’s community pulls together. While we may not be gathering together for a horse race, community in Christ makes all the difference in this race called life.
 
 
Thank You, Jesus, for showing me the way to community. May I seek connection with my sisters and brothers in the faith as we minister to each other and to the larger world around us. Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1
 
 
Lately I’ve been clinging to this verse in Psalm 27. God is indeed my light, my salvation, and my stronghold. I needn’t be afraid. Of anything.
 
So often we are paralyzed in fear. We focus downward at our circumstances so much that we fail to look upward. Up to the One who is ultimately in control and is totally trustworthy.
 
Verse 1 of Psalm 27 says “the LORD is my light and my salvation”. What a powerful statement! As my light, He guides my life. His Word is “a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). He leads me when I can’t see the way, when I’m lost in fear and darkness. As my salvation, the Lord saves me for all eternity through Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross where He conquered sin and death. His is the victory and I, too, can claim that victory, not just for heaven when I die, but for today, in the here and now. If Jesus conquered death, what circumstances would stump Him? In the second half of Psalm 27:1, it says “the LORD is the stronghold of my life”. As my stronghold, the Lord has built a fortress around me, to protect me and keep me safe. I am His.
 
What are you afraid of? Is it physical safety for you or your loved ones? Is it a medical diagnosis? Maybe it is fear of the unknown or fear of your future or your children’s future. Or perhaps you fear a very specific circumstance in which you find yourself.
 
Psalm 27 contains the key that unlocks our fear. In verse 3, even if our situations are spinning out of control, our “heart[s] will not fear”. We can still remain “confident”. The secret is in verse 4 which says, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
 
Seeking God through prayer and by reading, meditating, and memorizing His Word keeps us dwelling in His presence. God promises us He will never leave us (see Psalm 9:10). As long as we seek Him, we will find Him (see Matthew 7:7-8). God’s presence has the power to calm our fears and restore our hearts. We do not have to live in fear.
 
Verse 13 tells us that when we seek His face, we will indeed see His goodness all around us. Seeing Him work throughout the events in our lives encourages us to trust Him more. We can then, as verse 14 says, wait for the Lord to meet us. As we seek His presence, He gives us strength and courage to live in the face of fear.
 
If you’re struggling with fear or anxiety, join me in memorizing today’s key verse. Let the Lord be your light in the darkness, your victory in salvation, and your protecting stronghold. Then you will be strong and take heart as you wait for Him.
 
 
Dear Lord, thank You for being my light and my salvation. Calm my fears as I seek Your face and dwell in Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of fog-shrouded road south of Cape Meares, Oregon.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

​“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46
 
 
In Matthew 13:44, we learned that the kingdom of heaven is a treasure. (Please see previous blog entitled “Where is Your Treasure?”.) In the subsequent verses in Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus is discussing a similar theme: how the kingdom of heaven is the most valuable commodity. Just like the merchant in these verses who sold everything he had to purchase this treasured pearl, we, too, need to value the kingdom of heaven above all else. That kingdom of heaven here on earth is our relationship with Jesus.
 
After hearing a recent sermon on these verses, I felt God speaking these verses into my life again. Only this time, the “pearl” wasn’t the Gospel or kingdom of heaven, but rather a place in my heart that needed healing.
 
Sometimes we look to our fellow humans to fulfill a need we have. Perhaps we crave validation, acceptance, or love, and we search for it through relationships. When those relationships fail, end, or just disappoint, we feel lost. We’ve somehow managed to put all our proverbial “eggs” in the basket of human relationships.
 
Sometimes we look for other solutions to meet our deepest longings. Material possessions are often what we pursue. Perhaps we feel if we just purchase this or we have “X” amount of money in the bank, we will feel satisfied, even happy. We will feel like we’ve “made it” and will have the respect or acceptance from other people that we are looking for. We may even feel safe and secure.
 
What is your “pearl”? What is the deepest longing of your heart? What is it that you would give everything for? Is your pearl acceptance, love, or wholeness? Is it feeling special, worthy, or complete? Or is your pearl the feeling of being safe and secure? What is it that you would give everything for?
 
The truth is God created us with a vacuum in our hearts, a longing that only He can fill. God uses the emptiness in our hearts to draw us closer to Him, not to other people or to material possessions. While community has its place and God may bring friends and family, even strangers, into your life to teach you and to be His hands and feet, it is God Himself and He alone who can heal you and make you complete. Stay with those places in your heart. Allow God’s love and grace to fill the vacuum. When you value your relationship with Jesus above all else, He will take your pearl and fill the places in your heart full to the brim with His love and grace. You will find what you were longing for and realize it was worth everything to find.
 
  
Lord, You are my Pearl, what I would give everything for. Thank you for filling the places in my heart that need filling with Your love and grace. Keep me pursuing You rather than running after other things that only fill my heart temporarily. You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Bleeding Heart flowers from Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Scotland.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  Matthew 13:44
 
 
Scotland is a land full of surprises. Driving through the Scottish Borders in the southeastern corner near the boundary with England, there are rolling green hills and quaint villages. As we pulled into the driveway of Bowhill House, however, we were in for a different type of treat!
 
Our guide met us at the front door of this country estate built in 1708. We learned that the original grand entrance was on the other side of the house and that renovations in 1831 had converted the more modest rear entrance into the front of the estate. Entering this magnificent home of the Duke of Buccleuch (also Duke of Queensberry, in case one dukedom didn’t provide enough wealth!), we were regaled with the history of this enchanting home. As we toured various rooms, “opulent” was the word that kept coming to my mind. A member of the Historic Houses Association in Scotland, Bowhill boasts an incredible art collection. In one particular room, I was surrounded at the same time by paintings created by Gainsborough, Canaletto, and Joshua Reynolds.
 
As if the interior wasn’t enough, at the conclusion of the tour, I made a beeline around the corner to the original front of the house. Oh my! Such a grand estate and so much more impressive from this side with such beautiful views of land and lake. The lawn was perfectly manicured with gorgeous blue poppies dancing under the first floor windows. It was a sight to behold!
 
As I reluctantly put away my camera and prepared to leave, I was thinking about all the money that went into the initial purchase of this estate, its renovations, and all the furnishings, including the artwork. The owners chose to invest in this property in a big way. Bowhill House was one of their many treasures.
 
In Matthew 13:44, we learn that the kingdom of heaven is a treasure. Accepting the Gospel message and living in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the one true treasure. As we see in this verse, making that relationship top priority brings great joy.
 
What do we invest in? How do we spend our money? Big houses are not inherently wrong. It all depends on our attitude. Is our home a museum to be admired? Or is our home a safe haven for ourselves and our loved ones as well as a place of hospitality for our guests?
 
More importantly, where do you place your trust? Do you trust in your material possessions for security and happiness? In Luke 12:34, Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where do you look for happiness? The answer to that question will show where your true treasure is.
 
Like the man in our key verse today who found a treasure hidden in a field and sold all he had to purchase that field, may we value our relationship with Jesus above all else. For that is where we will find our one and only treasure, in relationship with Him.
 
 
Lord Jesus, may my treasure be found only in You. Help me to experience the joy of valuing life in You above all else. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Blue Poppies (Meconopsis) from Bowhill House, Selkirk, Scotland.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you will go.”  Genesis 28:15
 
 
On a recent trip to Scotland, I was absolutely amazed by the beauty of the lush, green hills dotted with grazing sheep. The landscape was idyllic and peaceful. Gazing at the verdant terrain tempted me to summersault down a hill! (I didn’t!) As we drove past miles and miles of pastures bordered by ancient dry stone walls to enclose the ubiquitous cows and sheep, I had time to reflect and simply praise God for the beauty of His creation.
 
Whether we’re google-mapping our destination and trying not to veer off course or whether we’re noticing new scenery, vacations force our attention to the present moment. It’s all about leaving our everyday lives behind, seeking out new adventures, and for a short while, really living in the present moment. In a culture where we multitask and life constantly pulls us in various directions, getting away from it all is good for our souls. Being on vacation renews our sense of wonder and discovery as we experience unfamiliar sights. New vistas and activities capture our attention. The routine and mundane dissipate as we encounter different surroundings.
 
What captures your attention? Are you living in the moment? Is your attention so divided by multiple tasks that you are no longer centered in the present? Or is your mind dwelling in the past with regrets or feeling anxious for the future while your body is merely going through the motions as it operates in the present?
 
Being mindful takes practice. A vacation is a great place to start. Inserting this “present moment” focus into our everyday lives after a vacation creates mindfulness and a sense of balance while it calms our busy brains. Taking time to notice our surroundings, to spend time in meditation and prayer, and to fully engage in conversations creates a sense of awareness, joy, and even peace – despite our circumstances.
 
In Genesis 28:15, God promised Jacob that He would be with him as he traveled to his uncle’s estate. God is with us, too, wherever we go. His creation is all around us waiting to be noticed, if we just open our eyes to behold the surrounding beauty. It doesn’t have to involve a trip to Scotland or even a journey from home. Living in the present moment is all about being intentionally focused and mindful. The resulting peace and joy are well worth the effort.
 
Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Thank you for vacations that give me time away to reflect and re-center myself. Help me to be focused and mindful so I can live fully in the present. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the ubiquitous sheep in the Lowlands, Dumfries, Scotland.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These may come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1 Peter 1:6-7
 
 
I am in a waiting room, impatient for certain life-events to be over, for losses to be grieved, for change to be completed. I stand at a precipice, wondering where the bridge is.
 
Lately, in the midst of transition, I am experiencing a profound sense of sadness, as if something inside me is dying. Like a kernel of wheat that falls to the ground and dies so it is re-born as a new stalk of wheat, a part of me must die to my old life so that my new life can take root.
 
In life transitions, this whole “dying” thing is scary. Life as I know it has ended! It is downright frightening to look Future in the face and not be able to see it clearly, like I'm looking through a reflection, a pool of water that ripples just as I begin to see, then changes again, covering up tomorrow with undulating waves. My future seems to be a mere shadow of things that will be, shape-shifting into various forms, none of which can be grasped with the human eye, let alone deep down within me.
 
In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the apostle Peter says that the trials of life, yes, even the grief that comes with all sorts of losses and transitions, can work to create in us a stronger faith. Just as raw ore is refined in fire and becomes valuable gold, so we too are changed by our difficult circumstances as our faith becomes stronger. The end result is we become more like Jesus and He gets all the praise, glory, and honor!
 
Taking my soul, Jesus fashions it into something new that has meaning and purpose, full of life and love and laughter. This molding and shaping is painful, like clay in the hands of a potter or like gold as the dross is being burned away. This growing and changing is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage to be shaped. Transitioning in life especially when you are afraid is challenging, but necessary. Otherwise, you are not moving forward. Being brave doesn't mean not feeling afraid, but rather it means trusting in the One who is fully trustworthy. Jesus, who cares for me, will walk with me no matter how scary the transition. He is already on the other side, waiting for me with open arms, as I move closer into deeper fellowship with Him. In today's vernacular, it means "God's got this" and I don't have to.
 
As I perch on the edge of a new life, perhaps I don’t even need to see the bridge. Just knowing Jesus walks with me, sometimes carrying me, is all I need to know for now. That’s something I can hold onto, deep inside my soul.
 
 
Lord Jesus, amidst life changes, I thank You and praise You that You walk with me. I lean on Your strength to carry me through and over to the other side of loss and transition. May You receive the praise, glory, and honor as I am changed into who You want me to be. Amen.
 
 
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Copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

​"In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
 
 
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are what I cynically refer to as “Hallmark holidays". While it sometimes felt like a command performance to send flowers or fruit, or to visit my parents, I believe that every day is a day to honor our parents by telling and showing them our gratitude. The Bible even commands us to honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12). It’s not optional!
 
This most recent of Mother’s Days was unexpectedly difficult. Being the first Mother’s Day since my mom passed away in November, this occasion was a reminder to me that she was no longer here. Advertisements imploring me to buy that special gift for my mother only served to rub the proverbial salt into the gaping wound.
 
I know I’m not alone. I have several friends who have lost their moms over the last few months. This moment which was supposed to be a time of celebration for them was more difficult than they expected, too.
 
As the advertisements get geared up for Father’s Day, again for me, I’m not looking forward to this particular occasion either. Although it’s been over five years since my dad passed away, Father’s Day is not an opportunity for me to celebrate. As the years since his death come and go, I am beginning to turn my “mourning into dancing” as I know my dad is in heaven. I can be thankful for his life. In the future, I know I’ll get to the same place with Mom and Mother’s Day. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, as the saying goes, but time can often take the edge off the pain.
 
Although I’m all grown-up with children of my own, having lost both parents, I often feel like an orphan with no home to go to anymore, no parental advice to call upon when needed, and no feelings of a “safety net”. It’s just me. Except I’m the one providing a home base for my now-grown children who still look to Mom for advice in navigating their world. I’m their safety net.
 
It’s a bit scary to be “orphaned”. Not only are there feelings of abandonment, but there’s this “in-your-face” idea of your own mortality. Thankfully, I have a deeper sense of home. In John 14:2, Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” My home isn’t here on this earth. It’s an eternal home in heaven with Jesus. And when I arrive in heaven, both my parents and my brother Logan will be waiting to welcome me home.
 
 
Lord, I know I’m just passing through life here on earth on my way to my eternal home with You. Until You take me home, may I bring glory to You as I love and honor those in my life with the grace that comes from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of sunrise over Haleakalā Crater, Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii.
 
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of Zondervan.  All rights reserved.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16
 
 
“Jesus Loves Me” is an endearing song of childhood, one I sang to my own children when they were little. Thankfully, they didn’t understand that Mommy couldn’t sing! One of my favorite home videos is of my children singing “Jesus Loves Me” with my son singing “for the B-I-I-I-I-I-BLE tells me so”, loudly and drawing out the word “Bible” in his now-outgrown drawl.
 
The words of this tune ring true. How can we know that God loves us? His word tells us so. Over and over, the Bible speaks to us of God’s love for us, the lavish love He pours out on us (1 John 3:1). Indeed, the Bible is God’s love letter to us. All we have to do is believe and trust Him as our Savior.
 
Knowing God loves me has huge implications for my life. Realizing there is nothing I can do to lose God’s love for me sets me free to focus on loving Him in return and loving those He’s put in my path.
 
“Because I am loved by God” has become my daily motto with a new fill-in-the-blank ending to that sentence each day. Because I am loved by God, His love is enough. While the circumstances in my life may change, even hourly, God’s love remains constant. It will not change because God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
 
God’s love is enough so I can feel content regardless of life’s difficulties. Paul describes in Philippians 4:12 how he has “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Paul’s secret is in knowing Jesus and understanding that God’s abundant love is enough.
 
I, too, can relax in the confidence of knowing God loves me. I can be content amidst life’s storms because I know I am loved by God. His word tells me so. And His love is enough.
 
 
Dear God, thank You for Your overwhelming love for me. When I doubt You love me, keep me coming back to that solid place of Your word and character that tells me You love me unconditionally. Your lavish love is enough. I am forever thankful. Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of sunset from San Juan Island, Washington.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  1 John 3:1
 
 
Love has all sorts of implications. Love can feel warm and fuzzy or it can be a choice to act lovingly despite our feelings to the contrary. Love is complicated because relationships are messy. Yet love in its most radical form is God’s grace, His unconditional love for us despite our behavior. We don’t earn His love and we don’t deserve it. God freely gives His love despite the fact that it cost Him something – the life of His precious Son, Jesus. In 1 John 3:1, we learn that He not only extends His love to us, He lavishes it on us! Lavish implies a profusion of love or an excessive amount of love. It’s really mind-boggling to think that God loves us that much!
 
In the midst of busy lives and difficult circumstances, keeping this lavish love in the forefront of our minds can be challenging. We need a reminder that because of His great love for us, we can experience blessings right now. God’s unconditional love for us has implications for our lives every day.
 
Lately, I’ve been pondering this concept of love overflowing from God’s heart to mine. I realize His great love permeates every fiber of my being, making it possible for me to live life joyfully, contentedly, and peacefully. My new motto is “Because I am loved by God…” Each day, I make it a practice to fill in the rest of that sentence. Here are some of my fill-in-the-blanks:
 
Because I am loved by God, I can experience joy in the midst of hardship.
Because I am loved by God, I don’t have to be afraid.
Because I am loved by God, I can have His supernatural strength for today.
Because I am loved by God, I can be content despite my circumstances.
Because I am loved by God, I can trust Him to meet my needs.
Because I am loved by God, I can be true to myself.
Because I am loved by God, I can love others as God has loved me.
Because I am loved by God, my past doesn’t define me. I am set free.
Because I am loved by God, I can have hope for tomorrow.
 
I’m amazed at how God’s love transforms me. No longer regretting the past or fearing the future, I can live fully in the present knowing I am loved by God.
 
 
Dear God, thank You for Your great love that You have lavished on me and on all who believe in You. Thank you for reminding me each day how much I am loved by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey.  All rights reserved. Photo of sunset from Pacific Grove, California.
 
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of Zondervan.  All rights reserved.