Today brought me to the end of week 9 in my study, A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place, by Beth Moore. Today saw the conclusion of the building of the tabernacle and the very presence of God moving in.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. Exodus 40:34-38 (NIV)

Can you imagine? What must they have thought? How must they have felt?

As I sat and contemplated this, I began to think about the fact that His presence dwells with me today. Right now, at this very moment, as I sit and type, He is with me. The very presence of God Almighty Himself.

This morning, I experienced a renewed sense of awe and wonderment. I am humbled. I am filled with gratitude. With love. With joy. I could not help but fall to my knees and weep. My eyes are filling now.

It is a relationship. A love like none I have ever known.

If you don’t know Him, you can. He wants you to. All you need do is ask. It’s not difficult. He loves you and accepts you just as you are right now, this very minute. If you, too, would like to experience a love like you have never known before, then click on the Ready? button in my right sidebar to learn more. He is waiting and longs to fill you with His love and presence.

Sweet Blessings,

Do you ever find that memories you haven’t thought of in years suddenly assault you with such powerful force, you find yourself completely breathless?

Lately, this seems to be happening to me more and more. I find myself unexpectedly entrenched in some long forgotten moment with such clarity, if I didn’t know better, it would seem it had just occurred.

I have also found myself increasingly maudlin of late. I sit and look at pictures of my daughter from when she was little, and I want to weep for the years that are already gone. She’s only seven. I expected to feel this when she was entering high school or moving away to college. Perhaps when she gets her driver’s license or goes out on her first date. But now? Isn’t it too soon? Is it hormones? Does this mean I am officially getting old?

Last night I awoke at some unseemly hour. I have no idea what time it was. I didn’t want to know. This, too, seems to be happening with ever-increasing frequency. Anyway…I awoke and couldn’t go back to sleep. For some reason, as I lay there, I remembered making biscuits from scratch with my mother when I was a child.

Just so you know, helping my mother as a child is the only time I have cooked anything from scratch. Biscuits? Since I started making my own, I have found myself to be a “whop” biscuit kinda’ girl. So named because you pulled the paper back a little ways until the seam was exposed and then you “whopped” them on the counter to get the can to pop open. Jerry Clower anyone?

I remember the flour sifter, and the brown wooden bowl she always used to make biscuits in. I can see her flour-covered hands kneading the dough. And here’s the part that really struck me about this particular memory. My brother and I used to like to eat small pieces of the raw dough. Is that weird or what? I’m sure in our childlike minds, we thought we were really getting away with something. And my mom let us.

Nowadays, there would more than likely be all kinds of wording on the ingredients warning of dire consequences if any were to be consumed prior to completion of their final desired state. Somehow, it didn’t seem to be as big of a deal back then. I don’t really know why. Fortunately, we survived.

I want my daughter to have memories like these that she, too, will recall in the middle of the night, or whenever. I guess I better go get that can of biscuits and let her practice “whopping” them on the counter.

Blessings,

I discovered a new blog today, Heavenly Homemakers, and found on Tuesday’s they do something really neat. It’s called Gratituesday. I realize there are other versions of this out there in Bloggy World, but I really enjoyed this site and their rendering of expressing our gratitude.

Interestingly enough, this came at a really appropriate time for me as I had been thinking I needed to take the time to post about what God has been doing for me lately.

I am grateful that He loves me. Last week especially, He drew me so close to Himself. Not through any particular trials or tribulations. Just through my Bible study and time spent with Him.

I am nearly finished with the updated version of Beth Moore’s “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place” study. It has been super powerful, and I have learned so much from it. God has used it to speak to me about a number of different things, but last week, it was simply about Him. About coming before the throne of heaven and worshipping Him. My eyes well with tears now as I remember how sweet it was.

We had arrived at the point in our study where we were discussing the Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies. This is where the ark of the covenant dwelt in the tabernacle God instructed the Israelites to build. It was where His very presence resided and where He told them He would meet with them.

While God’s presence dwelt among His people, a veil separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the tabernacle, and only the High Priest was allowed to enter that Place one time per year on the Day of Atonement.

What Beth pointed out is that the veil is no longer in place. We have total access to God through His Son Jesus Christ anytime, anywhere.

His Holy Presence lives inside me. He loves me, and He invites me to come and sit with Him whenever I desire to do so. He delights in it for He created me to have a relationship with Him.

So today, and always, I am thankful that I know Him. That He saved me. That He loves me. That I have been granted all access.

Oh how I love Him so and long for the day when I will worship Him face to face and cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty!”

Sweet Blessings,