Do you remember a first love letter?
I remember mine.
I still remember the first time he emailed me.
He. emailed. me.
My throat gasped in disbelief as my head swam off to sea. My heart was standing in front of cheering thousands, I was so nervously euphoric. I was the victor, having captured someone’s heart.
Were these words written about me?
I’d read and re-read. If the day got tedious, you would’ve never guessed it. I could recall how each sentence wrapped around, where a comma was placed, with photographic memory like never before.
All the Dear Jane letters that littered my past disappeared in that moment.
One Word
There are so many words that we consume in a day. The ones we speak as parents, co-worker, managers and workers. We wade through emails, entertainment news, tweets, Facebook messages, not to mention newsletters, bills and spam.
The year’s just started and our world floods us with sales, specials, diets, programs and resolutions.
But, just one word from God is all it takes.
To give us joy.
To give us rest.
If we really believed God wrote us love letters, we’d carry them like notes in a bobbing bottle in our desert island of stress.
I’m wanting joy this year and it’s the kind that can only be found in being loved. Without faith, it is impossible to believe what we’re craving is really what God is offering. Faith is the one choice we have for love.
Let’s take out that shoe box and start dusting off those love letters. Read them fresh and keep our eyes open. We’ve got some of God’s love letters coming our way.
God’s Love Notes (GLN)
When your days feel weary with words that overwhelm you about your worth, look for God’s Love Notes.
Here are some I’ve tucked away, that I’d like to share.
1. My Regrets.
I will make up for opportunities you think you’ve lost. You can trust I have something worth the trade of your heart.
“Then I will make up to you for the years that the locust has eaten.” Joel 2:25
2. My best efforts are nothing compared to my failures.
Don’t despise small beginnings. You are big in my eyes. Your heart is more valuable to me than the results of your efforts. Don’t be afraid. I will never give up on you. Don’t give up on me.
“Who despises the day of small things?” Zech 4:10
“My Spirit remains among you; do not fear. I will fill this temple with glory. .. The glory of this latter temple (our imperfect selves) shall be greater than the former (self-made lives).” Haggai 2:4,5, 8,9
3. My Negative Traits/Mistakes prove I’m not fruitful. I’m a failure.
You can’t do this. That’s why I’m here. You are not a failure. Growing takes time. One day, you’ll have no idea how it happened, but you’ll be surprised my words have an effect on you.
“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself , the soil produces grain.” Mark 1:26-29″
There’s nothing that feeds the soul than reading a love letter. God is intimate with the tender places inside us and the words we’re longing to hear. He’s writing one just for you.
“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
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Share a verse or one word you’ve received from God with us.
Pull up a chair. Let’s swap God’s love notes. Click here to comment.
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By Bonnie Gray, the Faith Barista, serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
Join Bonnie and the community as they explore Love Unwrapped Series in February on Faith Barista.
Click here to visit Faith Barista and add your voice too!
Photo courtesy of Photobucket.
Leave a Comment
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
Oh Bonnie, this is beautiful and it speaks to me in volumes. The one word I received from God and just blog about it, “let me (show you the way).”
http://charinabrooks.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/let-me-show-the-way/
All good things,
Charina
Eden says
Yes! He knows how to love us perfectly and why wouldn’t he ? He’s the creator of my heart! Beautiful post thank YOU!
10 days to a meaningful valentine’s: saturday surfing | not consumed says
[…] God’s love note to you by […]
Donna says
Love the Lod your God with all your heart…
He longs for my love in a way that draws me and fills with me with love for Him.
Lisa H says
Bonnie, this is great! I keep a scripture notebook and one of the ones that I remember God speaking directly to me was Deuteronomy 1:32 “In spite of this you did not trust the LORD.”
Talk about feeling like I had been punched in the gut! I was going through a really really bad time not so long ago and I kept praying, I kept reading scripture, and I kept saying I trusted God to work it all out. But in reality, I wasn’t letting go of control of the situation completely. I thought I could still ‘fix’ the problems myself. God showed me that day as I sat quiet with him all sorts of things he had brought me through before this time and all these times were not that old! I started writing them down, and how I felt afterwards. Then he started to tell me to read my little scripture notecards one by one, over and over. To my surprise they started sounding like a letter to me from God pretty much in the order I wrote them down! I’ve shown it to a few people but I’m willing to put it out here now for other because it was at this point that I realized God would really truly talk to me and this was how he was going to do it. All these scriptures alone mean one thing to me but put together in a ‘letter from God’ told me he watched over me and he knew the struggles I was going through. He was with me.
lkh
……..
Lisa,
Stop what you’re doing. Just be still and know that I am God. I’ve got things under control. Lisa you looked for me and you cried to me. I will answer you. I am answering you. You will be free of your fears.
Just trust me Lisa.
I know you do not understand, but just believe that I will get you through this tangled mess. I know the plans I have for your life. I will never hurt you. I will give you hope again. I will give you a future. You will not stay in this pit. Lisa you know all this yet you still do not trust me.
There is nothing that will ever take my love away from you Lisa, you do not need to be afraid or discouraged. I am with you everywhere you go. I will never leave you though others have.
Just trust me Lisa.
This looks really bad to you I know, but Lisa I will work this all out to be something good even though you cannot see what that is.
Believe that I do.
I already know how it turns out.
Lisa I see you every morning when you wake up and I am with you everywhere you go until you go to bed. I do not sleep. I am watching over you! I know what you are thinking, good and bad, and I still love you. Lisa, there is nothing on this earth that can ever take my love away from you.
Do not be afraid Lisa.
Be strong, I will give you courage to do what needs to be done.
I am with you.
I will hold your hand.
I will lift you up and put you in a safe place.
I chose you Lisa to be my daughter long before you were born.
I will never leave you.
I will never change.
All you need to do is just believe that I am here.
God, Abba, Healer, Counselor, Redeemer, Protector, Friend
Sarah says
Lisa, that’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I think the most comforting love-note from God to me is Isaiah 41:9: “I have chosen you and have not rejected you”. It’s great to be loved and accepted by God isn’t it?
Kris says
Wow…can’t say much more, other than wow. I too struggle with trust.
One thing I want to share. The scriptures speak a lot about how God is a shelter, a strong tower, a refuge, a rock. He is all these things. But these are all static. I have great trust in the stability of the Lord being there for me to run to when things get tough. But I have difficulty trusting him to act…to move…to protect…to encourage. I trust the God who is a noun, but tend to rely on myself for the actions. But….He is also a verb. “I ‘am’. ” Poor grammarian that I am, I looked it up and ‘am’ is a verb. Now I am working on trusting Him to act and to move in my life. As you say “Healer, Counselor, Redeemer, Protector”. These are all active roles, and I am looking to him to help me trust this part of Him. I’ve got a ways to go… 🙂
Neasha Clarke says
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing. This brought tears to my eyes. Since I’m facing a situation right now and I need god’s Divine intervention. I’m encouraged and strengthened.
– Blessings & peace,
Neasha
Marina Bromley says
Great post!
My one word is “perfect”.
No matter how I wish I was, which gifts I wish I had, I have to trust that He created me the way He wants me to be. I am not complete…or perfect…and it takes me leaning in hard on Him every moment of the day to get close to full potential…but lean I will! For me to doubt His work in me, to want to be differently equipped, says I doubt His work and His will…and I trust Him. It’s taken a long time to learn to trust him this way, and I’m still learning!
Thanks for sharing…
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
I wrote about God’s love for me recently in a devotion called, ALWAYS
(as in Always Loved!)
If you want to visit, the link to that post is here:
http://www.kathycheek.com/2012/01/always.html
Oh how He wants us to know He loves us!
Kristen says
Oh, loved this post this morning!
I often feel overwhelmed with the task I have been given. The word from God that stills and quiets my heart when I feel stuck in fear or anxiety is this one from 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17:
“This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”
He is mighty. He is good. He is bigger than any “army” we face. We just need to stand firm. I pray for courage for those who need some today.
Blessings
Beth Werner Lee says
Phil. 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, Beth! Remember? In everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make your requests to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. (I’ve got a choice.)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms somewhere. I am so weak but I can rejoice in God my savior who gives me good abundantly, who can even change the heart of kings, authority people.)
Deb says
and God says to me…child you are all I need you to be at this moment, trust me and I will lead the way.
Shannon B. says
My favorite is Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”
God just wants me to trust Him. He will continue His work in me until the day I stand before Him so I can trust that He will never leave me or stop working in me. If I trust that, I will receive all the blessings He has in store for me.
Monique says
I thank God daily for the blessings I have right this moment, and that I have made it to be slightly over 60yrs old. When I came across this scripture a few months ago–it has become one of my favorites. I’m sure I’ve read it many times before, but this time–it just jumped right out at me!!
Isaiah 46:3-4 –3 “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. 4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Angie says
Jeremiah 31:3 (the message Bible)
“I’ve never quit loving you and never will. EXPECT love, love, and more LOVE.”. (caps mine)
EssenseVibez says
great post–i want to share my version of love notes to God
check it out here ————–>>>http://www.scrapbook.com/myplace/index.php?mod=galleries&u=211385&m=view&id=2819887&type=-1&page=1&a=256309
Melissa M says
Wonderful post! I certainly remember love notes in a shoebox. 🙂 Psalm 46:10 always speaks to me “Be still and know that I am God”. Since breaking my ankle, God certainly has taught me “still”, something I will always struggle with.
Alyssa Santos says
Bonnie, this is truth wrapped in a red ribbon–so dear and true and redefining! The first from Joel plucked my heart– I certainly have locust years…. I think I’ll have to write through that concept of how God promises back the years the locust have eaten. Oh thank you for this love letter; so redeeming.
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
I remember my first love e-mail. We met via yahoo personals. I was thrilled, but cautious. Until our blind date & then a “real first date”–that’s when I knew God had sent me a wonderful, loving hubby.
Loved the analogy of love notes from God. He cares & loves us sooo much & yet we mortals sometimes can’t remember or see it. He is always there everywhere we are watching us, keeping us safe from harm & making us fit for His kingdom.
Sharon says
Phillipians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing;
that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
I am trying to hold fast to the first part of this verse. Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
I must stay focused on Him and stay in His Word and learn from people like Joni E. Tada.
Melani says
Loved this post! So timely!!
“A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song” Proverbs 15:15
I make the choice to have a miserable life or a life filled with song!
Dana says
Peace…..
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Even when it is hard and I don’t understand or like what is happening sometimes, I am so grateful for the promise of “perfect peace”. It goes so much deeper than circumstances…it lasts longer than my circumstances! Thank you , Lord!
Mandy says
To go along with the craziness that is Valentine’s Day, I’m going to be aiming all my posts this week at the different examples of love that I have been blessed to experience in my life. I’m planning on summing up the week with God’s love for me, the most wonderful blessing of all. I would love for you all to come along for the journey…
http://lifefaithful.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-is-love.html
Neasha Clarke says
His Loving Arms
I tried to find someone to love me, someone to fill the void.
I searched with a longing in my heart, hoping that He would come along.
I sought for all the attention I could get from everywhere I thought I might find it.
I yearned for embrace, to be held, to be understood, to be loved.
I imagined Him holding me in His strong arms and gentle hands.
I can’t wait for Him to come along and sweep me off my feet.
I longed for the moment when He wraps me in His arms of love, compassion and grace
He is my Knight in Shining Armor, My Prince
Then, without warning, He comes…..
Oh, my heart is filled with joy….. comfort……relief
I didn’t know what He would look like or what He would say,
But I knew He was the ONE, when I felt His presence
This is the ONE my heart longed for,
He came and swept me off my feet
Carried me in His arms and placed me safely
in His tender, wise and loving care
Under the Shadow of His Mighty wings
I started to cry, then He wiped away my tears and
He showed me a bottle with all the tears I’ve ever cried
Then He said to me, my child, my beloved you will never have to cry anymore
I am your Beloved, your Savior, your Redeemer, your Prince……..and your KING
Copyright ©2011. Neasha Daley- Clarke. All Rights Reserved.
Laurie Wallin says
There’s such life in reading those loves notes over and over. What a sweet perspective going into Valentine’s Day! For me it’s a love letter for my daughter who’s in a residential home and struggling. I feel God’s love for me and her in the promise He gave our family before the girls’ adoptions were completed: Isaiah 61: 7-9. That the shame and hurt of the past will be replaced with joy and blessing. That their heritage of brokenness will be restored and that “All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” Hanging on that love letter daily!
Amanda says
The Lord wrote this verse on my heart the other day:
“Oh LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. Oh Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1-3)
I didn’t even know I needed it until I read it.
Julie Sunne says
The Lord gives us so many beautiful words. Today, I’m thinking of MERCY. Because of the Lord’s mercy, we are not trapped in our sin. We are forgiven. Hope is given each day to begin anew. One of my favorite verses is “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him” (Lamentations 3:22–24).”
Thanks, Bonnie, for reminding us of the beauty of God and His Word.
Debbie says
God’s love notes are written all over His Word. I love to pray the Psalms. When I am happy, when I am sad, when I am lonely …He meets my every need.
Thank you Bonnie for always sharing from your heart.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Tara says
This one always soothes my heart:
Deuteronomy 33: 12
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
Beth says
Thank you for this article, it really touched my heart at a rough patch that I’m going through. I have spent my life looking for “love” everywhere around me, and I always knew that I needed to give my heart fully over to God but I was never quite willing. I was pretty confident that I was going to marry my boyfriend, but for various reasons we are not dating anymore and I’m taking this opportunity to let God fill the void in my heart that I never let him close to before. That first note about making up for the years that the locust has eaten hit me right between the eyes.. I know that giving my heart to him will not be a waste. Thank you so much.
Chelle says
“Do not conform…” Romans 12:2, which I blogged about. I then read someone else’s blog about, then…finally, in my praying for my husband, Romans 12:2 was the scripture about which I should pray, so I blogged about it again. Sometimes it takes a while for me to hear His voice; yet He speaks. Thank you for this reminder. I am now understanding that in being my own kind of rebel, I’m in very good company http://treatmetoafeast-beloved.blogspot.com/2012/02/see-i-told-you-not-to-conform.html
Peace and good to you.
Jill says
Hosea 2:23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
and I knew that I was not less than.
I really did/do belong to Him.
Romi says
Gods love is the most amazing love any one could have in there life journey .
beautiful post thanks for sharing may god bless you .
Lord is there with me when im sad or happy he guide me through my daily life give me the strength & courage . Be with him all the time in your life .believe in him ,praise & thank god hand over your life there is no love greater than gods love.
god loves every one of us .
Rosemary says
I have never forgotten the words I heard from the Lord as I faced the world after an ugly divorce – ” You are my beloved, I delight in you!” It’s been many years ago since that day but I still receive the same message in times of need and it has been so comforting to me. The heartbreak has been turned to the joy of a new marriage to an extraordinary man. I thank the Lord each day and remember the message that brought me out of the depth of a difficult time.
Adaykis says
I LOVED reading ALL these Love notes. wow. God is precious and He loves to speak to our hearts. There are SO many to choose from! But the best part is that we don’t have to choose one, ALL are ours. But I will share this one love note that God has been using to break through my broken heart and bring His healing and His peace, love & reassurance.
Comes from Romans Ch 8-
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That includes even the things I do! Even those things, whether good or bad Cannot Separate me from His Love! He will not love me less or more than He loves me right at this moment, just as I am. Just as you are. Doesn’t that give you great Joy and freedom to love more and even become better?! lol. God bless!
Amy says
There are really two that God has sent me lately, reminding me to lean always on Him. One I blogged about recently is Proverbs 3:5 “”Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.” The other is Psalm 23:6, one of my very favorite verses ever, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Missy says
That was beautifully put! Zechariah 4:10 was used just yesterday at a women’s retreat I attended. Then again in my devotional this morning. Then again here in this wonderful post. God’s word is living and active, indeed! Thank you for writing.
Leslie, Y says
Just what I needed. Thank you for sharing!
Sarah says
The LORD shared this with me last night during our small group. It was such truth that rattled my bones and warmed my heart…
James 1:12 (MSG)
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Tami says
Thank you for these GLN’s. Recently I’ve been challenged with seeing the value of the work I’m doing. Today God brought me to this love note in 1 Cor. 15:58 (GWT):
“So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.”
Natasha says
Ah, yes. The words from God. I’ve been exploring the Hebrew word “Yada” right now- and am feeling quite blown away by it. Love letters indeed.
Be still and know {yada} that I am God. Ps. 46:10
Karen says
Thank you for this wonderful article! I would like to share a love letter from the Lover of my soul:
My child,
You are My precious treasure. You are very valuable to Me. You are like a precious gem that sparkles in My pure light. Your beauty comes from deep within. You have a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great delight to Me.
I hear your prayers. I see the longing of your heart to know Me more. I do not speak to you in parables or mysterious sayings; I speak to you directly as one friend speaks to another. Listen and take heed to what I say.
You are My chosen one, set apart for My calling. I have called you out of darkness into My glorious light. My light reveals truth. My light brings hope. My light can not be hidden. My light guides you who follow My path.
My light pierces the darkness and illuminates what is unseen. You are a beacon of My light in this dark and hopeless world. I am the only hope that can bring life, comfort and satisfaction.
My goodness and mercy shall follow you all your days. Take care of the widows, orphans and those who have no one to fight for them. Stand up for them while I bring about justice. I will not forsake the righteous, but I will bring judgement upon the evildoers.
Evening, morning and at noon bring your supplications before Me. As you come before Me with clean hands and a pure heart, I will hear and answer. Refrain from being double minded. Come before Me with one heart; an undivided heart. I am your God and you are My people.
Submit therefore to Me, resist the evil one, and he will flee from you. You have been sanctified by My blood. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but I have given you a spirit of power, love and sound mind. In Me you have freedom and liberty. I set the captives free.
I heard your voice. I heard your cry for mercy. I turned My ear to you. I am the Faithful One. I love you with My everlasting love. From the rising of the sun to its setting My Name is to be praised.
Your Loving Abba Father
Is 62:1-9
Ps 113:3
James 4:7
Romans 6:6-14
Ps 43:5
I Peter 1
Liza says
Dear Bonnie,
Thank you for these encouraging words…they are so for me…the other day I woke up feeling insignificant in this world…I noted this discouragement in my journal..
In the evening, when I was praying and reading some scriptures, this verses stood out Matthew 10:29-31=> “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
In inserting my name in the scriptures, it made it personal to me..
thank you
Carol says
He whispers to me . . . “whatever is good, whatever is lovely . . . think on these things. ” (Philippians 4:8) When my thoughts are reflective of His blessings to me, I am not afraid, discouraged or compromised!! He is all of these ‘things.’