God is near

This week, I'm going to be volunteering for our church's Day Camp, "Exploring Christ in the Amazon." I get to be one of the Tribal Leaders for our tribe of thirteen kindergartners. We're the Purple Parrots. I'm really excited about the week! Everyone has been working like crazy this past weekend to transform the Sprung building into the Amazon. In the words of an impressed onlooker, "Wow, this is going to be, like, pretty much intense!" God has blessed this whole process in more ways than we can count.

Right now I'm loading up the mp3 player with music for Dad. I just finished twisting a few last-minute vines for the Amazon. My garden is thirsty. My book is overdue at the library. I wish I was asleep. I miss those of you whom I haven't gotten to talk with in what feels like ages. And God is near. Always.

God's really been impressing His closeness upon me, lately. I always heard that "God will never leave you or forsake you," and I believed it. But for some reason I never fully got it, I think. So God's been showing me more every day that He's nearer than my very breath. We worship a truly awesome God! He's not distant and cold and pompous. He's intimately and intricately involved in my life. He cares about every moment of my day, every tiny detail and thought and feeling. He loves me enough to never leave me. Ever. This takes my breath away.

God is everything that I need and he is a Father who delights to give me good gifts. One of the results of knowing God's presence more is seeing His hand in every minute of my day. He's opening up my eyes to see His blessings upon me. And they are more than abundant. I know I'll never be able to fully understand how much God has blessed me, but He's showing me that every good thing in my life is a gift from Him. And I'm blown away.

I am so humbled to see God's fingerprints all over my life. His love is overwhelming. There is no one like Him!

We sang a song in church today called "Faithful Father," by Brian Doerksen. I love these lyrics:

Father, I can't explain this kind of love
This kind of grace
I know I still break your heart
And yet You run to welcome me

Father, I love the way You hold me close
And say my name
I know when my life is through
My heart will find its home in you

This is my song of praise to you
For who You are and all that You do...
From before the world began
You have been faithful
You will be faithful
Forever faithful
Father

Who else could love like God? His love defies all human reason. Who else could be faithful from before the beginning of time throughout all eternity? Who else is worthy of praise for not only the works He has done, but simply for Who He is? We worship an awesome God!