What a gift it is to be welcomed with gladness.
I remember my parents, standing at the door with eager anticipation when we came home to visit.
I remember waking Jay’s sleeping Dad with a kiss, and the look of delight when he awakened, and realized I wasn’t a dream.
I remember Jay’s smile when he opened the door of his apartment and saw it was me.
I remember our daughter’s delighted squeals of joy when I picked her up from day care.
I am so blessed to now experience the joy of a big smile from our grandson when he sees it’s me.
Today I got an eager welcome from the grandpuppy. There is no way to adequately describe the delight of the wagging tail and wet kisses.
Tonight as I reflect on the joys of being welcomed into the lives of others, I am even more awed that God delights in me.
We live in a world that does not always welcome us. We may not be included. We may be rejected and sometimes even attacked physically or stung by hurtful words.
Sometimes we are neither accepted or rejected. We are simply unnoticed. We feel invisible.
We may come to view God through the lens of how others see us or how we see ourselves. We may not feel the joy of our welcoming Father God.
The Truth is God loves us and delights in us as His Masterpiece. He planned for us long before we were born. He had big plans for us then and He has never given up on the day we will grow into all He planned for us.
God not only smiles when He looks at you, He also bursts into song. You are welcomed. You are loved forever!
Hear what God says to you.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to Me.
Jeremiah 31:3
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.
Jeremiah 1:5
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His Love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!
Zephaniah 3:17
