Psalm 18:18-19

When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked—
    but the Lord held on to me.
 His love broke open the way,
    and he brought me into a beautiful, broad place.
    He rescued me—because his delight is in me!

I had the honor of watching the movie Redeeming Love, based on Francine River's book with two dear women. We viewed the movie, each through our own perspective, seeing before our eyes the story we lived together; two of us from the perspective of a friend, as the hands and heart of Jesus, and one of us as a woman whose life seemed stolen without hope of rescue as she has lived Angel's story. It was beautiful to see her journey come full circle and know that this day our dear friend was on the other side, never to return again to her abuse and broken places. We experienced together the truth that no one is beyond the Lord's love and redemption. We had come together to a beautiful and broad place of hope, healing, and rest. 

Much like the story depicts, our role is to live our lives and be open and welcoming to strangers; to ask the Lord who do you have for me to share my life with? My heart has always gravitated towards the weak, the broken, the bound, and the lost. When the Lord brought my husband into my life he found me in a place of weakness, brokenness, bound, and lost. The Lord used him to call me out of my cycle of hurt and to look with eyes beyond to posture our life together as a place of refuge, safety, hope, and freedom. 

I often find I am more similar to Martha than Mary from scripture and more Marilla than Matthew from Anne of Green Gables. I am focused on tasks, cleaning up the mess, and keeping things in order. Yet, the Lord is gracious and patient as he calls me to be intentional to imbue His presence which often means setting aside my plans, facing the resistance in my heart and having to wait on the Lord's timing. He calls my heart to Himself to remember His love, His forgiveness, His faithfullness, and His fulfillment. He is a rescuer. He is a redeemer. He is compassionate. I can trust Him. I want to live a life of loving sacrifice. I want to continually resist and not give place to jealousy, bitterness, fear, selfish ambitions, or vanity, even when it is painful, exhausting, and the days seem long. I want to always allow the love of Jesus to lead and go deeper in trusting Him especially when I'm walking with someone in their struggle to be free in order for them to experience God's redeeming love.

May you know this love, experience this love, and live to see the fruit that grows from this love!