Epiphany

Hokay. So... I wanted to share the epiphany that I had at the beginning of this week...

First let my start off by saying that I was super excited to start this blog, and was trying to find the right word to describe what had occurred to me this week and I thought "Hmmm.... (that's me thinking) EPIPHANY! Yay I got it, that's the perfect word to describe what occurred to me this week!" *Epiphany as defined by dictionary.com: is an intuitive perception -- just in case you were wondering.* Then, I re-read over my previous blog entries and discovered that I've used that word in both of my previous entries. So much for being original with my word choices! Fail. Epiphany epiphany epiphany epiphany. Okay, I'm done. Moving on. :)

This past Tuesday I was home alone and decided to go rollerblading and soak up all of the gorgeousness from outside. While I was out on my adventure, I was reflecting on all of the different relationships in my life. Family and friends. Acquaintances and strangers. I was thinking about everyone that I have ever carried on my heart, and thinking about the people that I currently carry on my heart. After spending a decent amount of time shuffling through all of the different lives and faces of those that I love, I had an epiphany (my new word of the week -- I just decided). Are you ready for this? Bear with me... it might sound uber cheesy or just plain odd, but that's me for ya!

Okay, so in the context of relationships, I run a heart hospital. I feel as if God is the doctor -- He preps people (by way of His Spirit), opens people up, removes the nasty stuff from within them, mends the broken, and heals the hurting. I am the nurse (shocker I know :) -- I care for the people inside of the hospital and I administer "the meds." The medication of course is love. The love is prescribed by and supplied by the Doctor (aka: God). Told you it was odd and cheesy!
But in all seriousness, I wake up every morning excited. The desire of my heart is that I may be sensitive to God's spirit that day, and that I may care for and administer love to everyone that He ushers into my hospital :) The world is so big, and I am just one person, but with the love that He has placed in my heart, I feel like I could move mountains. The love that dwells in me is definitely not from me. It is so much bigger than me. Love is just prevalent in my heart and that isn't because of anything I do, it's because of what He has done for me. My daily purpose is to love others -- more than myself, and I view each and every day as a new opportunity to love. To love with all that I am. My dear friends and family are definitely permanent patients in my heart hospital, but aside from them, I never know who might just walk into my triage today, and that is exciting! As cheesy as this epiphany is, it makes so much sense to me. God is so grand, and I am proud to say (and take comfort in knowing) that I am a permanent patient in His heart hospital. Aside from him my doors would be closed for business and I myself would be lost and broken. Aside from Him I would have no hope of redemption. But with Him, I know life and fullness of life. Because of His love for me I have been made whole, and have been reconciled to Him. His love for me is strong. His love you for is strong. His love is strong.

Jon Foreman lyrics <3>

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

May you come to know that His love for you is strong, and may you allow His love to fiercely pour through you into the lives' of others.