His Infinite Love

     God's been talking to me about His love lately.  The picture that continues to come to mind over and over again is an ocean.  His love is like the ocean.  So big.  So unimaginably big.  I don't believe that God withholds the love I ask for, I think that I can't open myself up enough to receive it.  Gently and patiently God helps me to open my heart to Him more so that I can receive more of His love.

 

I come to His infinite, never-ending love with my little thimble, praying that He'd fill it.

 

Without fail He fills it to overflowing.  He tells me in His indescribably loving voice, "Next time bring something even bigger."

Unable to imagine just how much love God wants to pour into me, I think 'A spoon! Surely God wouldn't want to give me more than a spoonful.' 

Hoping that I didn't overdo it by bringing a spoon instead of something a little less demanding, I come to Him and His love again. 

 He fills my spoon to overflowing. My heart warms and grows bolder, my thankfulness overflows as I begin to realize that His love is less limited than I had thought.

When He whispers, His voice full of love and joy, "Next time bring something even bigger!", I feel more courageous. Maybe I actually could bring something bigger.

So I come again this time with a bucket!

Soaking in His presence, almost like soaking in the sun's warmth, I feel sure that He will fill my bucket to overflowing just as He had done all the other times.

He does.

 

"Next time try something even bigger! My love is more for you than you can imagine!" He says. 

'What bigger thing could I bring?' I wondered.  Then I knew what it would be.

Again I come to the ocean.  Again I come ready to be filled.  But this time I come with a bathtub!

 

Laboriously I push it to the ocean of His love.

Nearly overwhelming me, He fills it to overflowing once again.  But I was able to handle the bathtub full, because He'd been teaching me to receive more and more  of His love each time I had come.

"Next time," He breathes, "Bring only yourself." 

 

  My footsteps are seen in the sand as again I go to the ocean. 

This time there is no squiggly line beside me from dragging a bucket or tub.

This time my hands are free to push back stray hairs blown by the breeze.

This time I come alone.

 

Standing on the beach, I wonder what I'm supposed to do.

 

Then I see him in the water.  He calls, "Come out and join me!"

I could not help but long to be with Him in the water.  So mustering up all my courage, I take a running start.  Leaping over the lapping waves, I seem to be pulled to him like a magnet. 

 

I couldn't believe I had jumped so far!  I was nearly in His arms. 

 

Then SPLASH!  I land in His ocean of love right beside Him!

Holding me close He says, "I'll always hold you tight. Don't be afraid, everything will be all right. I have no limit on how much love you can receive. It only depends on how much you will let yourself receive. Come to me any time. I'll always be here for you. Ask me and open your heart, and I'll fill you to overflowing. My love is infinite, unquenchable, unstoppable, invincible. In me you are made whole and complete. I am love!"

New Years in Japan

        On New Years and the days that follow, thousands of people visit the shrines in Japan hoping to get a blessing for the new year.  This year we went since none of us girls had seen what many people in Japan do on New Years Day.

         We drove for about an hour to get to downtown Kobe.  Arriving near the first shrine we found a parking place, then walked.   There were so many people moving slowly in a long line towards the shrine.  I was amazed and kind of sad to see so many people going, most of them not really knowing what they were doing spiritually.  We moved along with the crowd through the entrance gate, past rows of food sellers, past the lines of chicken wire where people would attach prayer requests, and up to the shrine.

 People tying on their prayer requests.

     We broke off to the right and went around into a side entrance.  A Shinto priest was droning in the background, a group of people stood behind him solemnly.

People came, threw in money, and prayed. 

    We left the building and went around the back.  There were more places to pray, more food, trinkets, charms stands, and more people.  There was also a lovely garden with several huge old trees, little streams and ponds, and little wooden buildings for sitting in the shade.  Pigeons strutted about.   Precisely trimmed trees waved gently in the wind.  Fish danced in the pond.

       Leaving that shrine we then went to another one nearby.   This one was even more packed but similar.  We didn't go up to the shrine building because there were too many people slowly moving toward it.  In a side walkway we found lots more food and game stalls, trinkets and charms stands.

Noodles or fried meat anyone?

 

Man roasting chestnuts.  I had never seen that before.

Accessories and games.

        It was hard to believe that people actually pray to just a statue, or throw in their money and hope to be blessed.  But I saw it.  In the shrine grounds was a little shrine with a little stone idol.  We watched as several people went up, tossed some money in, shook the thick cord ringing the bell, clapped their hands, and bowed their heads.  I was thinking, 'Are they actually praying to that statue? Can they really think that a little piece of stone will help them?'

       It was definitely an interesting experience seeing so many people praying, eating, buying, and selling.  It also made me sad though, to see all those intelligent people simply going with the flow, not really thinking about what they were doing, just following tradition.   Everyone wants a blessing and hope, but most people don't know where to get it so they end up wandering around in darkness until someone will show them the light. Let us shine with God's light more and show people the real way!

 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!  It’s 2012! 

     A new day, a new month, and a new year have arrived!!  God provided for last year, and He’ll provide for this year.  I’m excited to see what He’ll do!  I’m anticipating that He’ll work more in Japan and the world this year!  I’m hoping that He’ll pour out His Spirit in this land, that His Will shall be done all across this nation!!
    2011 was a good year.  One full of new opportunities, new challenges, and new experiences.  One with laughs and tears.  One with fun and disappointments.  Through every up and down the Lord’s been there.  He’s provided, He’s comforted, He’s granted wisdom, He’s given direction, He’s been faithful!
     I hope that this next year surpasses the years thus far!  I pray that each of us will grow to know the Father more and will be drawn closer to Him this year, 2012!

God bless!