sabbath

oh this beautiful day.

i have spent it in the presence of God.

not because i went to the assembly.
but because this day
i sat down and talked to Him
and listened to worship songs
and wrote about Him
and thanked Him
and He opened my heart
to so much
that i didn't even know
i had been closed to.

and His Spirit is upon me.

and i can't stop writing.

it is a gift from Him
to be open to receiving His Goodness.

did you know that?

it's not scriptual, i don't think.

but i got this inkling in my spirit
when i saw that my older brother
was happy to put his hand up and
receive the offer of a free holiday at my place.
it's not my place that i am joyous about.
it's just noticing that my older brother
will put his hand up when he recognises a gift being offered.

it's like the invitation to the kings feast.
so many wouldn't come because they had so much to do.

but all they had to do was say
oh, yes please.

and that's all my brother does.

and i think it's a gift from God.
the gift of receiving His gifts.

i don't know.
i could be wrong.
i have been wrong before.

but

i have seen God gift people
over and over and over again.
He is never exhausted in His giving.
and it's tormenting to see
that they do not notice
the Giver other than the one in front of them.

i have seen God pay people's debts.
i have seen God clothe people.
i have seen God put a roof over the head of a criminal who does not want to acknowledge Him.
i have seen God send people to pray for that same criminal.
i have seen God fill a pantry with food and dishes and pots and pans.
i have seen God place massive billboards in front of crying daughters.
i have seen God heal people.
i have seen God work things out perfectly for those who do not love Him.
i have seen God bring the good gift of a wife.
i have seen God take and block the way of an enemy.
i have seen God avenge those who have harmed one of His.
i have seen God wrap the arms of an ex-wife around the new woman and hug her.
i have seen God close the mouths of His people and instead bring them to their knees to pray for their enemies.
i have seen God shut away His people to keep them from vengence that is His and His alone.
i have seen God.

and so have so many others.

on the Sabbath, Jesus healed a man.

(right at this moment a perfume has invaded my home.  it's not my perfume.  it is sweet.  oh my goodness.  it's so beautiful)

did Jesus heal this man because God works every day.
that's the answer a 10yr old gave.
didn't Jesus say to receive the Gospel as a child?

anyway, i'm not here to quibble about the sabbath right now.
i'm here to say that

God loves us.

and last night i prayed that He would give me the desire to be fully joyful in Him.

and today He gave me just that.

and i want to praise my God.
and i am thankful that i am His.