The Invitation

 This morning for some reason my as my mind wandered to the past, I thought about a cousin and her husband.  Her husband worked for my father and she and my mom had a special relationship.  They had the cutest baby girl.  She had strawberry blond hair and was always smiling and happy.  I enjoyed having them live close by and playing with my little cousin and watching her grow for a short time.   Due to the loss of my family they moved away and we lost touch.  This was almost 40 years ago so why would she come to mind now?  Maybe God was putting the desire and idea on my heart to try to locate her through facebook.  I thought this might be a challenge, but she was the first one to pop up when I typed in her name!  I asked if she was the daughter of my cousin and her husband and got a response right away, “yes”.  I typed in a brief description of who I was, her 2^nd cousin and a little of what I remembered about her and invited her to begin to get to know each other as adults.  She hasn’t responded yet, but I am patient and know that I have things to offer her in relationship and would love to just take it a step at a time, but it’s her choice. I hope she chooses to say yes!  She is “family” and I desire to know my family and be a blessing to them.  You never know, it might be just what her heart needs.

This reminds me of another invitation that I just read about this morning from my heavenly Father.  He invites me and you into relationship, to a banquet table, a place to sit together and share my deepest thoughts and questions, to be fed in spirit, and to get to know him more.  By knowing him more I know more of who I am as well.  He loves us more than we can imagine and longs for us to respond!  If we do, we can begin to experience wholeness, new life and so much more.  You see, He knows who I am, all about me and amazingly still loves me and offers me life.  And He longs for me and you to begin to know who He is.  He invites us to relationship, pretty amazing, a relationship with the creator of the universe!  How will you respond to The Invitation.  I desire to continue on this journey, I hope you'll join me. 

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 6