I hope you have absolutely had a wonderful summer!  My family and I have enjoyed every last minute of it!  We have done the theme park, the swimming pool, and tons of time with friends and family.  We have played until we were exhausted.  Stayed outside until we were as red as lobsters.  Enjoyed ice cream and cookouts and laughed in the joy of the Father.  I pray the same is true for you!

I love seeing “first day of school” social media posts by all of you moms.  Your children are beautiful and powerful and I am thrilled at the thought of all the ground they will take for the Kingdom this school year.  A common posting on social media this year is “where has the time gone?”  I know this world seems to be spinning much too quickly, but I know where the time has gone and so do you.  It is all written on your heart to be treasured and pondered for a lifetime.  He creates beautiful moments that become tender memories to carry on this journey.  I am so praying for you.

All of that said, I have to say that one of the most precious times we as a family had this summer was spent on a patio in the mountains of New Mexico.  I was so blessed to be able to spend several days basking in the glory of the Lord and I cannot tell you what it meant to my tired, overwhelmed heart.  I spent mornings worshiping and appreciating the majesty, the “big-ness”, and the beauty of the Father.  The Lord has ministered to me to in such a precious way this summer. 

Reminding me of my first love.

I love my family.

I love my work.

But what I believe the Lord spoke to my heart in the mountains of New Mexico is this: “Yet, I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”  Revelation 2:4

Have you ever felt like I have recently felt?  I love God and I have been obedient to what He has asked of me.  But without realizing it, I let my obedience become my only interaction with Him.  I want you to know that more than God desires our efforts, He desires our hearts.  I am actively involved in handing Him my whole heart through my personal worship and quiet times spent with Him alone in our secret place.  I have a long way to go, but can I tell you that He has already begun to renew my strength and to cover me with His wings?

I want to encourage you to do the same, now that the summer is winding down and you might have quieter times alone, spend quality time in personal worship.  Do this not as a legalistic act of obedience–but a relational act of worship to the only One worthy of it!

My love,