in HIS image

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27


Yesterday I attended MOP's (Mothers of Preschoolers) at our church.  I had the opportunity to speak HIS words, HIS truth to the women at my table.  At the time I didn't even realize just how much HE was speaking through me HIS truth at precisely the time that HIS truth needed to be revealed.

Throughout the morning I was given the opportunity to speak to several good friends, and pray over them.  I was placed specifically in encounters with women who were struggling, so that I would be able to interceded on their behalf, by calling on our HEALER to heal them.  

I was then blessed to be able to spend time with my mentor.  A woman WHO was placed specifically in my path, was written beautifully in my story.  A woman WHO would be my soul sister as our stories were intertwined with each other.  

We grabbed a quick lunch, and headed to a park by a lake, and it was there that I bared my soul, for the first time in a long time, without crying, and told her my story.  I was able to share my story in a way, that was beautiful, without getting caught up in the emotion of what happened to me.  

At one point during our conversation she revealed to me that when HE revealed to her that her value and worthiness can only be found in HIM, it spoke VOLUMES to me.  She spoke HIS word straight to my very aching, and broken heart that I, Heather, was made, specifically, on purpose in HIS image.  

HIS Daily Teachings today is taking me even further into what that means for me, as HIS follower.  For the first time in my eleven years of walking with HIM, I am understanding HIS calling for my life.  Through my current bible study, I am learning that when I was saved by HIM, and HE REDEEMED me, it was on purpose for HIS purpose, so that when HE breathed NEW life into me, I would know, and understand that HE is the ULTIMATE LIFEGIVER.  

In learning this, HE is telling me that it is my calling as HIS disciple to be a lifegiver, by choosing to speak and breathe new life, into the last, the least, and the lost.  HE is letting me know that HIS purpose for me only be able to receive the comfort and encouragement that I so longed desperately for would be found in HIM, is so that I, Heather, would seek HIM, as I would know that HE is my teacher, and if I'm going to learn how to be a lifegiver, what better place to learn than the ONE WHO made me in HIS image.

Oh how refreshing, comforting, and overflowing this makes my heart feel.  HE is letting me know that HE loves me far too much to EVER let me be led astray again.  HE is telling me that HE is building me strong in my FAITH, stretching me beyond what I "think" I can handle, so that I will know without a single doubt that HE truly does love and know me best, and that HE is the only one WHO can teach me what it truly means to be a LIFEGIVER.

This morning HE is teaching me that in order to be a LIFEGIVER I must first understand that I need to be an encourager.  This means that I am to be encouraging, even when NO one else is encouraging me.  HE is telling me that I must NOT let my needs get in the way of HIS good works.  After all, hasn't HE been teaching me that if I do in fact have needs all I have to do is seek HIM, and HE will fulfill my needs in HIS abundance.  Haven't I learned after ALL this time that HE is there, and HE cares for me?

HE is wanting me to know and understand that there will be times where I am going to be called to be a LIFEGIVER, and I am going to have to make a choice whether I'm going to let my emotional neediness, and comparison to others get in the way of HIS calling for my life.  HE is telling me that NOW is the time where I let go of being needy, and OPEN my eyes, ears, and heart to hear HIS whispers, so that I will be able to heed HIS whispers.  

"As lifegiving women we are uniquely designed to enrich the lives of those around us."  Tammy Maltby "Lifegiving"

HE is wanting me to know that my calling isn't to be needy, but rather to seek HIM, and allow HIM to build HIS KINGDOM in me, so that I will be able to do HIS good works, that HE has designed me specifically on purpose, for HIS purpose to do for others.

"Who is bringing fresh flowers, lighting candles for the family to enjoy, thinking about the extra touches, the seemingly insignificant lifegiving activities that nurture and nourish, that create warmth and security at home and in society." Tammy Maltby "Lifegiving"

This explains WHY I love candles, and love making our house feel like HOME. While my husband thinks its silly and unnecessary, it is one of my greatest desires to ensure that each of our family members, and or guests that come into our home feel at home, as it is welcoming and inviting.  This explains why after a stressful day, I can't wait to have my home picked up, and candles lit, so that I can just sit and relax and reflect with HIM the happenings of the day.

HE is telling me that just as I love candles, as they bring me comfort, and give comfort, so is HE for me, as HE is my light.  HE is wanting me to know that because I know that HE is my light, HE is calling me to be the candle, the light in this broken, lost, and full of darkness world.  

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

WOW!  Okay, going to transparent for a minute.... so I've always known that HE is my light, and I remember singing the song "This little light of Mine"  but NEVER did I really fully understand what that means for me.  Never did I realize the significance of knowing, believing, and trusting that HE is my light and what that means for me in regards to how I am to live my life.  In being transparent, honestly I thought my life was more about me, and transforming, and renewing me, never did I really give it another thought as to WHY HE has been refining me.  Never did I really think about what it means to be made in HIS image. 

Today I am learning and finally understanding the lyrics to the song I learned to sing so many years ago, how to apply it in my life.  HE is the light in me, and I, Heather, have been chosen on purpose, for HIS purpose to be HIS light in the dark and broken world.  My story is HOW I will let my light shine. By choosing to bring HIS message of HOPE of WHO HE is, WHAT HE has done, and WHAT HE will continue to do in me and through me.  Today I am finally understanding what it means to be made in HIS image.  Today I am finally understanding the reason, the purpose for my story, so that I would be HIS disciple, and so that I would have the courage to go out in this broken and dark world, and make disciples by telling HIS good news, and speaking HIS truth, through my story which truly is HIS message of HOPE.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST JESUS ~ I pray today that you will know that HE is your light.  I pray that you will have the courage to seek HIM today and allow HIM to teach you how to let HIS light shine in you and through you.  I pray today that you will be able to let go of your neediness, and see that HE has amazing plans for you.  I pray today that you will be an encourager, even if you aren't receiving encouragement yourself.  I pray today that you will choose to speak HIS truth, HIS words into the lives that you encounter, as HE makes no mistakes, and every single encounter was written on purpose, for HIS purpose so that you will be HIS living vessel to reach the last, the least, and the lost.  I pray today that you will seek HIM and allow HIM to show you that you too were made in HIS image.

Much love, prayers, blessings, compassion, and understanding,

Your Sister in CHRIST JESUS,

~ Heather