We all appreciate a note of encouragement. A reminder that we’re loved. Proof that someone was thinking about us. I was blessed to receive a couple of these recently – from my husband! Talk about making someone’s day!
I found one said note first thing in the morning when I stumbled into the bathroom, eyes half open, to splash some water on my reluctant-to-awake face. I glanced in the mirror, ready to make my regular groan at my reflection, and I saw a note: about how beautiful I am to him. Well…then I really couldn’t see! The tears flowed and I couldn’t wait for him to get home so I could hug him.
The next morning, I had just made it to the kitchen with four children who were all begging for their breakfast. I reached for the coffee pot to make some liquid energy, and discovered another note: this time thanking me for what I do each day. That did it; I probably looked like a crying mop propped up in front of the coffee pot, due to my morning hair and humbled posture.
Later, as I was re-reading the notes and thinking how blessed I was, Jesus whispered something to me: “You know why that means so much to you? You know why those “little” gestures make you feel like you are safe, that you can face anything, that you aren’t alone? Because it is like Me. It’s an earthly picture of what I do for you – all the time. Your husband put those reminders of his love in places he knew you would look; where and at the times it would mean the most to your heart. That’s Me. It’s what I do…you just have to look. What if you hadn’t looked in the mirror? What if you hadn’t made coffee that morning? You would have missed the reminders of his love. Just like if you’re not looking for the reminders of My love all around you, all the time, you’ll miss them. You have to choose to see.”
This was such a beautiful realization. And as I thought about it, it became even more special. See, I know my husband’s handwriting; so I knew the notes were from him. (That and the fact that he’s the only one in my house that can spell yet.) Likewise, if I’m going to recognize my Lord’s “love notes” in my everyday life, I have to know His “handwriting.” I have to include Him in every moment, keep an ongoing conversation with Him, truly abide with Him. And choose: choose to see the beauty, choose to see His working, choose to acknowledge His love. Cause it’s always there. And He’s constantly “writing us notes” to tell us. His desire, delight, protection, provision, guidance and strength are ours.
We just have to look for the reminders.
