What Does God Look Like?
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I shared a quote in my last post - "Grief is our receipt of having loved well." Afterwards someone sent me the full quote. It's even more beautiful. I wanted to pass it on.
"Grief is love's souvenir. It's our proof that we once loved. Grief is the receipt we wave in the air that says to the world: 'Look! Love was once mine. I loved well. Here is my proof that I paid the price.' "
I'm glad to have loved well. My 54 years with Floyd are a treasure that I will always hold close to my heart. I was doing a short video this week for the Celebration of Life memorial coming up on July 24 in Kansas City. Sharing about Floyd made me so grateful for the life we had together. God has been so good to us!
I've been listening to a rendition of "Amazing Grace" being sung in 50 countries all over the world and I think this is what heaven will be like! All of us worshipping the Lord together. Floyd is experiencing this now. He's with his parents, with my parents, and with many friends who have gone before us. What a great day of rejoicing it will be when all tribes and tongues can stand together and worship the Lord. We have so much to thank Him for.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:21
"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8
His amazing grace is firm and secure - even though everything around us is being shaken. God is our sure stronghold! He's our Rock!
Someone reminded me this week of a message Floyd gave at the Simply Jesus gathering in 2015 on "What Does God Look Like?" I've listened to it several times. It's lovely to hear Floyd's voice, of course, and I've been blessed by the message. You can listen to the message under the ‘Resources’ section on our website.
Our grandchildren loved their Granpa.....and he loved them so much. They were close, and they've been missing him. I'm sad that they won't have more time together. We've been savoring all our photos and memories. Floyd's message is about when our daughter asked him what God looked like when she was a young girl. It was part of the journey of her relationship with God. I've been praying for my grandkids now to discover what God looks like in their lives, and to have a wonderful revelation of His love and care for them. And I'm praying for their hearts as they miss their Granpa.
One of my all time favorite photos is one of Granpa and grandson walking together. I share it above. It's so special. They look like a tall and short version of each other.
In these days when my heart is tender, I've been reflecting on what God looks like to me too. His comfort and His presence have been so real, so close, so tangible. I have sensed Him carrying me in ways only He can through this time of loss. At this particular time, God looks like a loving Father, wrapping His arms around me, holding me close, wiping away the tears, and telling me I'm going to make it through all this. He is so good.
"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." I John 1:5
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives......You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." Micah 7:18,19
"For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights." 2 Samuel 22:32-34
My prayer today is for each of us to have a fresh understanding of what God looks like in our lives. He is our Rock, our Refuge, our Strength, our Sufficiency, our Helper. He is so faithful to us!