Tag: loved

what family looks like

Karla Lees

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Today is Family day here in Ontario, falling the day after Valentine’s.

Which got me thinking about love and family.

To me, there are three different types of family, which ideally represent the three main types of love:

The family we are born into is meant to be our Agape love foundation. Agape love is meant for each person, whether they know God or not. It was meant to be a love we offer regardless of how we like one another or not, by choosing to love. You may or may not have experienced this type of love in your family, which may make it hard for you to accept God’s choice to love you no matter what.

The family we choose is designed to meet our need for Philos love. Philos love is sisterhood/brotherhood love, the kind of companion or best friend love we all need. And it’s the one we choose for ourselves, based on our likes/dislikes. This kind of love can also not be what we hoped for or expect, as its based upon others.

The family which chooses us represents the best love, God’s love. Eros love is the deep passionate desire and longing kind of love, which initially draws hearts together to long for more besides agape (security) and philos (friendship) love.

All of human love is a pale reflection of the Love which was and is the source of them.

For we are fallible, and will let each other down, even those we love.

God’s love isn’t like ours. It’s puree without flaw. Deliberately chosen and eternally held dear.

His Agape love?
It is for always.
(John 15:12-13, Romans 5:8)

His Philos love?
It is for everyone.
(John 5:20)

His Eros love?
It is forever.
(Song of Song 1:1-4)

For His heart? His heart is:

●To place the lonely into families.
(Psalm 68:6)
●To restore the brokenhearted.
(Psalm 147:3, Psalm 34:18)
●To comfort the hurting and mourners. (Job 5:11)
●To hear your cries. (Isaiah 41:10)
●To fill you with His love. (Ephesians 3:19)
●To never leave you. (Romans 8:37-39)

If your family isn’t quite what you hoped for, wounded you or abandoned you…

If your best friend hurts you or your spouse breaks it off with you…

There is still hope to be found in love.

God’s love is the purest love there is. It is yours to receive, and He longs for you to be one of His.

For He not only made you, He loves you. No matter what. And He wants you part of His family.

Family here on earth may let you down. God never will.

Take a few moments to ponder His love for you.

Allow His love to bypass your wounds and walls, and fill you up beyond your imagination.

For if you invite His love in, He will come. His love cannot help but do so!

Family is about love.
Love which chooses one another even though there may be failures or wounding.

Family is at the heart of God.
For He is family all in One.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Ever loving one another, ever reminding us all we are wanted and loved.

As family.
As friends.
As the Beloved.

when God’s love letter appears unexpectedly

Karla Lees

I have searched the whole world to find you. You are My Beloved. The one I have chosen. The one I love.

I have a deep seeded cry I have left unspoken for a very long time.

It is possible to appear normal on the outside but to have a  broken piece within crying out for healing.

I know, because God showed up in the service today and read my mail.

I have struggled with a deep sense of loneliness for several years now.

Unshared.
Unspoken.
Unseen.

Or so I thought.

God knew.
God heard.
God saw.

Following a time of intimate worship this morning, our pastor shared what He had placed on his heart.

The first piece of mail was mine.

Just like the woman who had been bleeding for years, desperate for healing, I too was shocked that Jesus shared my most intimate need in public.

But I know why He did.

Just as that woman who touched His hem and was instantly healed, something needed to shift beyond what was touched within me.

I needed to hear He loved me, outloud.

That He passionately pursues me.

That I am His, and He is mine.

That I do not need to be lonely anymore within His love.

My heart is safe in His hands, and all my broken and restored pieces matter to Him.

Everything about me matters to Him.

And the same is true about you.

Today, let the lover of your soul in.

You too will be changed beyond imagination, and loved beyond measure.

Whether you are heart broken, single, married, widowed, on your own, in the family you were born in or welcomed into: you are loved.

Deeply.

Faithfully.

Eternally.

May His love be the best Valentine’s gift you too receive again today.

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resting securely on His shoulders

Karla Lees

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12

Today did not start well.

I awoke congested and feeling like I had not slept at all. I began work to find a serious glitch has occurs with one of the main programs I use daily. Hubby may be having a long term IV put in today and my eldest is recovering from an allergic reaction to a new food source. My son is feeling bad for accidentally sitting on my laptop and cracking the screen.

In short, a day most of us would prefer to stay in bed or have a restart button to push for a skip over.

Last night, I was reminded of this verse above.

And it struck me after worship time this morning that God gave me that verse last night to remind me of the following truths:

1. I am His Beloved.
No matter how I feel, God pursued and wooed me.

2. He is always shielding me.
Always. Just because I can’t see Him or His angels doing so, doesn’t change this truth!

3. GOD loves me.
Even when I am cranky, miserable, acting sinfully and unlovely, I am the one He loves!

4. He is my source of rest.
No matter what is happening, or what I am facing.

5. He is carrying me close.
I am resting on His shoulders. And in order to stay there…

6. He is holding on to me.
He never lets us go, those whom He loves. He has me safely in His grip.

7. God is leading the way as I rest on Him.
I can place my hope that I am headed in the right direction when He is guiding my every step.

If you too needed to be reminded of these truths, join me in praying for a stronger sense of His Presence to rest upon you today, as we learn to rest on His shoulders.
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grieving through Christmas

Karla Lees

I am shockingly breaking with my theme of “Praising Hymn through Christmas Carols of the Ages” today, for I feel lead to share this with you.  May what He has stirred up in my heart touch yours as His love flows through these words. xo

Christmas became a hard season for me with the unexpected loss of my hubby’s sister a few years ago, adding to losing his father & my grandparents.

I wasn’t expecting it.

I have noticed that we talk alot about the cheer, the bright and the merry, but not about how to keep our eyes fixed on the light when we feel full of woe, heavy or weary.

I get how hard the year of firsts, seconds and thirds can be. I read somewhere the first three years after a major loss are necessary to grieve through when love has been lost.

This is the first year I have beheld the wonder of His Presence at Christmas again far outweigh the loved ones I still miss.

God gets it too. He purposefully gave up His Beloved son so we could know just how much He loves us.

Nothing that happens to you, seen and unseen, goes unnoticed by God. Your lows as much as your highs catch His heart, and turn His eyes to you.

A few strong godly men I know are facing the loss of their mothers this Christmas. Likewise, a few girlfriends are grieving the loss of their spouses who left them this year. You too may be struck with sudden unexpected loss. I get it, and I hurt along side you.

May I remind you He loves you dearly?

My prayer for you is for Him to draw close to you as only He can right in the middle of your grief.

Nothing’s wasted in His Kingdom. Ever.

There is a purpose greater than you may be able to sense right now. Lean in, trust Him to hold on tight and let Him carry you through.

He’s got you covered with His love, and will never let you go.

Each and every tear you shed in your private grief? He bottles like a precious wine.

For everything, absolutely everything, that matters to you matters to Him. Always.

#grievingthroughChristmas

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image by Dayspring Cards.

let God love the hell out of you

Karla Lees

Do yourself a massive favor and let God love the hell out of you. Then love yourself as much as He does. It will change your life forever. Kris Vallotton

I needed this word this morning.

I can so relate to what Kris Vallotton shared on his blog today: http://krisvallotton.com/what-is-your-love-lid/

Because I too try to lessen my value to a dollar figure, instead of accepting the gift of eternal value I have by being His Beloved.

And I don’t walk out my true value most days, because I am too busy playing into the enemy’s scheme to keep me focused on what I lack instead of what I have in Him.

In God?

I am wanted.
I am chosen.
I am signed, sealed, & delivered into freedom.
I am paid for in full.
I am Beloved.
I am the apple of His eye.
I am His delight.
I am His Bride.

I need to remind myself of my true value too, more often than I can to admit.

I too need to ask God to love up on me, to so overpower me with His love that the hell is literally shoved out when it encounters His love.

And let’s face it, hate doesn’t like to leave anywhere it has burrowed into, does it?

Yes, I said hate.  Because hell is really about those who hate His creation, and the Creator.

Hell? It’s filled with fallen angels, serving their false god. And one day it will be filled with souls that failed to bend the knee before God.  Who refused to accept the only thing that could keep them from their final destination, apart from Him.

Love can make all the difference.

And it starts with accepting that we are valuable enough to be loved.

Especially by our Maker, who rules over Heaven & earth, and holds the keys to set everyone free from the road to hell if they accept Him.

I am not the same mess within as I was when God first met me.  I thank Holy Spirit for leading me as I take each thought captive before Him, before I accept what it says.

I am no longer on the highway to hell.

His love has literally scared hell’s grip on me and cast it out forever.

I am on the pathway to meet God face to face, and live in the comfort of His embrace for all eternity.

On the days when I am bloated, sick or discouraged, I need this reminder: 

His love has changed me forever.
I have a purpose, plan and a future in His hands.

Beloved, may you too allow Him to soak you in the waves of His love, until all you see is His face beaming at you!

When you have steeped enough in His love, you will be able to accept it as your true value and walk in the confidence of bring His Beloved.

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comfort in community

Karla Lees

Hi chicks! (that’s what I call my girlfriends in Christ) If you are a bro, welcome.

I know some of you are single, separated, divorced or in a hard place in your marriages.  I know it can and does hurt. I know sometimes you feel you can’t ask people to pray for your spouse, for reconciliation and/or healing.  For you to become whole when you feel ripped apart.

Please do.

Being single does not mean God has abandoned you.  It does not mean His plans for you are always to be without a partner to love beside you on this earth.  He may draw you so deep into Him that you will sense Him as your partner through it all.

You are beloved just as you are, whether you are single, married, divorced, separated, a mom or not. God adores you, and will not leave you or fail to give you hope in your heart’s cry.

Please know its okay to be hurting and say so. We need to be able to be real with one another in the safety of supportive relationship.

I will caution you. Not everyone else believes as you do. Because we are all so different, we may need to share where you are at by starting with “This is where my heart is at. I am inviting you to pray for me as I have requested. I am not asking for answers, but comfort in community.”

Coz we don’t need to speak the answers to support one another, sisters & brothers. 

We need to leave the answers in His hands to be spoken in His timing to our hearts.

Sometimes we just need to know we have been heard, accepted for where we are at, and loved in that moment.

We all need to know we are not alone, and loved as we are. We were meant to find comfort in community.

I pray we will all learn to be better keepers of one another’s deepest longings when they are shared, and continue to point one another to God as we love up on each other right where we are at.

If you are in a state of singleness, and hurting over it, please hear you are not alone.

My suggested best to-do list when you are single, not by choice?

1. Spend more time with God than ever before in prayer, worship and His Word. Press in to Him for your needs, all of them. Ask Him to bring the right people into your life to be part of….

2.  Put together your support group: of sisters (brothers if you are a guy) in Christ, health professionals if you need them, and people who can give you wise counsel. 

3. Allow yourself to be real, but not wallow in your lowest points. 

4. Practice being positive. Speak His Promises out loud over your life.

5. Believe He has good plans for you and they will come to pass, even if you can’t see beyond the pain of today.

6. Remember you are never alone. Stop isolating yourself. Make sure you to be in contact with someone in your support group every day.

Keep pursuing health for yourself in the midst of your hard season. How you make it through can impact you for the better if you seek Him, surround yourself with support and always remember you are not alone.

I also invite you to pop by Whole Magazine to be encouraged as you read:
http://www.wholemagazine.org/posts/5-steps-to-getting-over-your-ex

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there will never be

Karla Lees

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I wish that you could see that beauty is within your heart

Too many of us allow our insecurity or the words of others to try to restamp our value.

Simply put? God only made one of you. You are the only You which will ever exist or be.

He made you in purpose, just the way you are:

And you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair are perfect just the way they are

He thinks you are wonderful, exquisite, worth His pursuit.

There could never be a more beautiful you

Whether you are a guy or gal, this is true of you.

Don’t buy the lies, disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Don’t like one part of your appearance? God does! He likes the curl which refuses to be tamed, every ounce of extra weight and your baby toe which sticks out a bit.

Because it’s part of YOU!

Beloved, please tune in to His love as He continues to speak truth, freedom and purpose into us.

You are irreplaceable.

No one else is meant to do what God has planned for you to do here on earth.

No one else can bless His heart like you do.

No one else can love Him as you can.

You are the crowning achievement of creation, for you are made in His image.

He is so beautiful beyond description, and somehow we mirror that beauty in a way we may never fully grasp until Heaven.

May you walk, head held high, as the Beloved. A one of a kind expression of His beauty and love wherever you go.

Quoted Lyrics by Jonny Diaz, “More Beautiful You.”

greatly blessed, highly flavored, deeply loved

Karla Lees

Last night was one of those nights.

When you are so tired you can hardly keep your eyes awake, and just as you are comfy in bed trying to fall asleep….

  • hubby starts puking (from something he ate)
  • daughter gets a massive nose bleed
  • hedgehog starts running like a maniac on its wheel
  • cat starts snoring
  • the weight of the money getting tighter with a third car repair in ten days looming ahead

And you think, right there on the edge of losing it, “How will i ever get to sleep?!” before you hear His whisper, “I’ve got you.”

I left go, give it all to Him, and have a wonderful seven hour sleep. 🙂

God has an amazing way of flashing His promises and blessings through my mind & into my spirit when i need it most.

For in Him, as His Beloved, I am:

  1. Greatly blessed.  I am moving in with the King of all that is, ever has been & ever will be into eternity. I have an eternal inheritance as His daughter, His Beloved. Hullo, can I get an amen, soul?!  And if that was not blessing enough, I am never left alone. He is always with me. Even through the worst this world & circumstances can hurl my way.  I can rest in His loving care.
  2. Highly flavored.  I have been hardwired uniquely by the Master Craftsman just so, and my uniqueness when offered to Him & for His Kingdom blessed Him.  He gives good gifts to all His creation. Each sunrise, sunset, baby cry, flower blooming, rain fall – is a gift for us to enjoy.
  3. Highly favored.  Each talent & skill He bestows on us is a visible sign of His favor, as is our ability to walk right up to Him in His throne room & climb up on His lap, to ask anything we want of Him.   As His Beloved, we have especial favor in the eyes of our Love.
  4. Deeply Loved. His Love is astounding. That You choose to shower Your love upon me, breathtaking wonder! Going to the cross to show me just how much You love me- as far as the east is from the west, with no end? Overwhelming joy!

If you too are in the midst of hard times, take the time to draw close to Him again right in that moment when you feel like you can’t take much more.  Allow Him to shoulder your burden, fill You with His peace & love, and comfort you as He walks with you.  He truly shines all the brighter against the dark backdrop in your difficult moments.  Don’t forget to ask Him to remind you who you are to Him.  He loves to love up on His Beloved 🙂

 

 

i am greatly blessed

love letter to the Beloved

Karla Lees

Beloved,
yes, I mean you.
Please look at me.
I am inviting you
to come out of hiding
and enter My embrace
just as you are.

My love for you?
It’s not based on what you do,
for I am not interested in performance as a basis for My love.

My love for you?
Overflows out of me,
because I am Love.

And I felt desire for you
my Beloved,
my Bride,
back before I created
this world & all its wonders.

Do you grasp that I consider you
to be My crowning glory
of the wonders in this world?

I had a glimpse of you
as I laid out my plans for Creation
and although I knew
it would take time
and many many lifetimes
in earth’s time
for you to come to me,
I was excited
for our meeting.

I have been waiting for you
since before time began
to meet with you.

Love cannot help but long for the one it loves.

And You are she to me.

My Beloved.

I know life in its daily drudgery can be hard to cope with some days,
but I hope you know the Truth which accompanies you always.

I am with you, each & every moment of your life.

In the hard times, I bring comfort peace as the jewels of My love for you.

When you are rejoicing, I clap for joy.

When you are grieving, I hold you even closer to my heart.  For I too know the pain of deep loss.

When you finish the race before you, I am the Prize waiting for you at the end.

When you feel discarded or broken by this world, know that I long to reshape you into the masterpiece I saw you as & created you to be from the beginning.

Oh my Beloved,
that you would accept what you may not be able to fully understand on this side of Heaven….
you are loved.

Walk it out.
Be loved.
Allow yourself to be my Beloved,
no holds barred, without restraint.

As you walk as my Beloved,
the fragrance of My Presence you will carry will entrance those who do not yet know they are part of My Beloved.

My Bride awakens when she senses My desire for her.

Be loved, Beloved.

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God has been wooing me with quiet loving whispers to my heart, and reassuring Words to my spirit.  The harder my days seem, the lighter they become when I recognize that being His Beloved is not like work, where you can turn it off or on at will.  His Love is meant to cover us, soak into us, and become part of us, making us over as His Beloved from the inside out. 

Be loved today, Beloved.  Allow Him to speak the words & song the song over you He longs to bless you with.

she will be loved…

Karla Lees

There is a song by a popular band that caught my attention a few days ago when God brought the name of the song to mind….”She will be loved.”

Then I realized He was talking about me.

That little girl within me that still doesn’t feel loveable or worth being loved?

God was speaking to her directly.

But not in the same tense as the song….

For I AM loved, and ALWAYS will be loved.

And so are you.

Some of you, like me, will wrestle with this word today.

And you, like me, need to let go, and just receive it as the amazing gift it is.

His love.

For whether you or I accept it or not, it is true.

You ARE loved, and ALWAYS will be loved.

No matter what you do.
No matter what you think.
No matter where you go.
No matter what you have done.
No matter what has been done to you.

No matter what you can come up with, His love is yours.

No matter what.

YOU are loved.

He loves YOU.

HE loves you.

Always.

Take the time you need, and read this out loud. Let His truth soak into your spirit, and permeate your heart, mind, soul.

Accept it as it is. An eternal truth behind your full comprehension.

Receive it. Allow Him to prove His love to & for you, and allow yourself to feel it.

Find the words He has for you in the Word which tell you how much He loves you. Write them out, print them off or make them your screensaver.

(PS. One of my faves is Romans 8:37-38 🙂

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