We Are Lost Without Him

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you 

should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." 

(Psalm 32:8)

On this rainy Saturday morning, I was finding great comfort and peace in my prayer and Bible reading time. I could see the verses were rising off the pages like incense into my heart and mind and they seemed to spill over me like anointed oil. (That's what happens when we have the Holy Spirit inside of us and we read God's Word.)

I sighed and thanked God for His Presence in my life and the sense of Him being with me as I sought His Face. I'm so glad to be learning there is no where else to go to get the help and hope I need to keep going. 

Without the help of the Holy Spirit inside me drawing me to Himself and to His Word, I get lost in the craziness of this life here on earth. Too many distractions for the Christian in this life. We have to stay intimately connected to Jesus to thrive...and we can do that. Thrive. Flourish. Prosper with His Presence in our lives. Yep. It's possible. But we have to daily, fervently seek Him on our own, Baby. Yep. He wants a close intimate relationship with His girls (and his boys). :) And all these thoughts in my heart this morning brought me to writing this post below. I pray, my beloved sisters, it encourages you.

I was a lost, pitiful little girl for decades. Yep. Decades. 

Growing up I was taught to believe God is real and Jesus is real. Mom took us to Sunday School, church, and Vacation Bible School. But I never knew Him as my Lord and Savior.

I say I was pitiful because I kept trying to save myself from the agonizing legacy of my daddy walking out on our family. I was five years old when he abandoned us and he left a wake of broken hearts in all of us: including my precious Mom and my four siblings. 

Yep. I was lost. And as I grew up without Daddy's love and approval my mind became filled with the toxic thinking of a professional people pleaser: abandoned, worthless, alone, insecure, and consumed with the fear of man (Proverbs 29:25).  I figured his leaving was my fault and I spent decades trying to control circumstances around me. In my lost mind I thought I had to protect myself from ever being hurt like that again and to fill that void of Daddy's love with something!

See, I was lost. God had not opened my eyes yet to show me He was everything I needed and craved. But God.

It wasn't until I was a young woman when I heard the news my dad died. I felt like I died, too, and my life was over. It was too much. I was devastated because I dreamed for the day my daddy would tell me he loved me and was proud of me. 

The news of his death was catastrophic for my soul. But that's what God used for the old me to die so He could make me a new creature in Christ! "Behold, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

And I am His because the night I received the news of my dad's passing I fell to my knees and cried out to God to help me. I cried buckets of tears that were filled with shame and guilt. I asked Him to forgive me and to "please become my father and love me and take care of me!" Yep. He did!

Yep. But God. In His will. In His timing. He saved me. "You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last" (John 15:16). He put a new, abundant  life in me,"I have come that you might have life and have it in abundance" (John 10:10). And then, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise..." (Psalm 40:3). 

And, oh yeah, I've gotten really good at "making a joyful noise" (Psalm 98:4) when I worship God. In fact I think the more thankful I become my praises just get louder and louder! I just can't hep mah sef, Sistahs!  I am one thankful daughter. I have a Father and He loves me forever! Yep. I know Him. I KNOW Him. I am God's daughter! 

Now I know where to instantly go for help and hope...and to always be sure to thank Him for His unconditional love for me. Over the years, as I have sought His face by praying and reading His Word, I have seen Him become my faithful Instructor, my radiant Pathfinder, my wise Counselor, and my loving Overseer! He really is Who He says He is! Whoa! 

God Almighty IS The Perfect Father, He promises: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8). 

I'm not lost anymore, Baby. I have a new Abba Daddy. He is Holy and Wise and Very, Very Good. And guess what....

...we talk all the time. :)

For His Glory,
Polly :)

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