Restored in Love

This one might sting a little.

Some of our hearts and minds became twisted because we did not receive unconditional love in our early years.  

Rather than hearing expressions of love and kindness that built up esteem and self-love, some of us received awful, hurtful words and actions that tore down spirits and broke fragile hearts.

As we grew, our perception of love got gnarled up. Who could love us if those who should have couldn’t? 

A deep-rooted lie began to grow within us.   

We believed we were unlovable. 

So, we began to give ourselves away. We altered ourselves, bending and twisting to become whatever was necessary to make us loveable. 

Nothing was off the table; we were desperate.

In our desperation, we gave away our bodies, minds, and hearts to anyone who would provide us with even an inkling of what we thought love was.

Rather than finding love, we found ourselves lost, confused, empty, and hopeless.  

Darkness surrounded us, and the voices of despair and loneliness sought to overtake us as we sobbed in hopeless anguish, certain of our forsaken fate in this abandoned and entangled wilderness.

But then.

We were rescued.  

Jesus came running - screaming, "Leave them alone, they’re MINE!" so loudly the very ground shook around us. 

As He untangled the branches of lies and deceit, the splinters and dust of rejection, shame, and loathing fell off us. 

He lifted our heads and held us tight, cocooning us safely in His love. All we could feel was a love so strong, pure, and unconditional that everything else disappeared.

It was a deep and true love that eclipsed anything we ever longed for.  

We opened our eyes, and our world was brand new. Sunshine filled the sky, warming our skin and healing our wounds. Hope sprung in our hearts.

God's love restored us.  

Our journey is going to have a happy ending, my fellow wanderer. I am certain of it. 

We are survivors, redeemed, rescued, and restored by a mighty, unconditional love that no lies, past transgressions, or shame can ever take away.

Thank God. 

God loves you, and so do I!

Psalms 66:19

But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

Job 42:10 

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Lamentations 5:21

Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.

Psalms 46:5

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.