The Love Letter
This is my contribution to Ann Voskamp’s Walk With Him Wednesday. Her writing prompt this week: The Word That Woos. In December, I posted here about God’s “Love Letter.” Today, I dusted that post off, polished it a bit, and now offer it as an act of worship for the Author of the Word.
***
I dusted the spare bedroom the other day and came across it. I pulled it from the shelf and held it in my hands: my childhood Bible. It was a reminder of a time when The Word was a stranger relegated to the bookshelf.
So patient, He was. … And still is.
He was waiting there for years, inside pages where He poured out His heart. He put some of the best parts in red. But I didn’t read it.
A Love Letter, unopened.
Every few months, I swiped the Word with a lemon-scented dust cloth. But always, I left it in its place – a decoration on a shelf next to a book about Degas’ paintings. I wanted to believe the promise of love,
Some talk about faith like this: “You’ve got to move your faith south — from your head to your heart.”
My faith worked in reverse: I needed God to move my faith north. I had a heart that was willing, but a brain that was not. I wanted to believe, but I could not.
So rather than disappoint myself with stories that seemed like fairy tales, this Love Letter stayed shelved for years.
But the willing heart wins every time. The Word Himself planted Truth in hearts, under a canopy of forever. And the Word would grow in willing soil.
“He has set eternity in the hearts of men.” — Ecc. 3:11
Yes, He would make everything beautiful in its time.
One day, my oldest sister sent a gift by mail. It was a book like the one on my shelf — same words, same red letters. I opened it. The words of Mark 9:24 leapt from the page: “Lord, I do believe. Help me with my unbelief.”
I gasped, silently mouthed the words. Dare I ask this for myself?
God, if you’re there, could you do that for me? I asked. I want to believe, Lord, would you help me with my unbelief?
Lord help me with my unbelief!
I don’t know when it happened exactly, but my faith went north.
I began to feel the words, in the marrow. Leather-bound Soul Food in my hands — alive and active — had become more than stories. The Word put flesh on The Word. He wrote letters to me — to me! — and I wrote back to Him in the margins. I underlined my favorite parts in green.
Today, God is as close as gold-lined pages on my fingertips. When He says He loves me, I believe Him from my Word-drenched heart all the way up to my Word-drenched intellect.
Author and Giver of Life, Keep my heart pointed north. Kindle in me the desire to continually learn more about You through Your Word – a Love Letter to me that woos. Even when I fail — and I will again — remind me that it’s never too late to pick it up again; Your words are faithful even when I am not. Amen.
Goose bumps!
"Under a canopy of forever." The Word has found Its way into your words. What a blessing!
This was so beautiful and moving. I love His Word and cannot imagine how I went so long without it.
That verse has helped me through many many dark days in my life. I love that verse. Thanks for sharing.
His story is made up of many chapters, each one ultimately written specifically for each of us…
(oops!)
His story is made up of many chapters, each one ultimately written specifically for each of us… We are not just readers, but active participants in the story.
Amazingly, He wrote us into the plot!
Gracefully, we accept.
What a great testimony, of an unbelieving heart that was planted with a seed of faith. And since He has eternity, how patiently, He waited for that seed to grow…
His faithfulness is truly as enduring as the heavens…God bless.
"He has set eternity in the hearts of men." — Ecc. 3:11
I just read this scripture this morning in MY DAILY BREAD…and thought it was so beautiful, I would put it in my blog title!
This is a wonderful experience, sharing this time on Wednesdays.
all the best, Maria
Oh, Jennifer, I do love the words of the Mark 9 dad, you know. I find myself grateful for his unbelief, for it, together with his burning to believe, gives me a hope that it doesn't stop with my own doubt.
I love to hear to pieces of this story of yours.
Jennifer, what a fabulous post!!!
most definitely a love letter from our very patient King.
loved your reference to your childhood, with the photo included, so touched my heart and about the Bible lingering on the shelf…just unbelievably honest and how forgiving He is with us as His children.
Thanks for sharing…really enjoy your writings!
That is simply beautiful. I'm going to use it as my column on Sunday morning. I can't wait for the people in the in the church I serve to read your writing.
Such a lovely post.
Wonderful. Leather-bound Soul Food – I love it!!!
He remains faithful, even when we don't – His Word is lamp unto our feet and light unto our paths! Thanks be to God!
Wonderful. Leather-bound Soul Food – I love it!!!
He remains faithful, even when we don't – His Word is lamp unto our feet and light unto our paths! Thanks be to God!
Beautiful. Praise God for answered prayer!
Do you know how many lives you touch? Yes, my friend…
You tap the rock, split open the diamond: "God is as close as gold-lined pages on my fingertips."
Yes!
That close.
Staggering.
I prayed for you today…
Thanked Him for you today…
You minister… elucidate.
My thanks…
All's grace,
Ann
I so appreciated this. Something tells me you're gonna love my post today, on the name of God "My Beloved." *smile*
Jennifer, This post is just amazing.
What you wrote here is so true. It is not about getting our heart to believe. Our heart believes. It is our acknowledgment of truth in our mental understanding that takes the longest and keeps us from receiving the love and care of our loving God.
Thanks for sharing this. Your writing still takes my breath away!
Christy
I, like Ann, was captured by your statement "God is as close as gold-lined pages on my fingertips". What a comfort to know how close He always is. How He longs to speak to us in every line on every page. Thank you!
This says it all: "Today, God is as close as gold-lined pages on my fingertips. When He says He loves me, I believe Him from my Word-drenched heart all the way up to my Word-drenched intellect."
Thanks for sharing with us.
Love and hugs.
The Word.
His.
Nothing can compare.
hi jennifer !
long timeeee.. how hav u been ?
ive tagged you.. hee hee.. check 'Sach ka Samna' (face the truth) for the questions on my blog .. hope u do it.. just for fun !
🙂
happy f'ship day