Devoted to One

"Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. 

The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. 

It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him.  ...  

We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. 

Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself?" 

(My Utmost for His Highest)

(Photo Source: Dreamstime)

Last week ... a week full of emotion, preparing for our youngest son starting out on the path of his dreams, flying off for a job halfway across our continent. And a reminder for me again this morning ... keep focusing on First Love. The path focusing on following, on listening, and giving ourselves first of all to Jesus. A reminder to not let the urgent and the magnet of being busy for God to take away from our true devotion to God. 

So, on this day when part of my heart is on a ship that is leaving from Seattle with my youngest son on board, I choose to give my thanks to the One who holds us as mothers.

Thank You, loving Lord, for Your amazing blessings of this past week:

for the sweet voice of a three year-old granddaughter, asking her mommy if she could please call "grama" right before bedtime one night ... and my heart was filled to hear her soft, sweet words, "I love you, too" ...

for my husband, so patient and loving with me ... surely a challenge at times to understand all the emotions of a mother ...

for answering my prayers for direction about a project ... nothing is too small to pray about ...

for a good supply of wood ... keeps our propane bill down, and adds a beautiful, comforting warmth to our house ...

for not as much damage as could be, when a deer ran into our Honda  ... and for protecting my husband from harm and accident ...

for our wonderful "empty nest" ... love our children and grandchildren, and so blessed to also love our years together, just the two of us at home ...

for a sweet time with family home, two days before our son's move to Washington ... memories to carry with us ...

for holding me together during our good-byes two days ago ... thank You for love given, and love received ...

for safe arrival of luggage at destination ... always a bit of a concern, but all was well ...

for phone calls before the boat's departure, heading for the Bering Sea ... soothing ointment for this mother-heart ...

for being all-powerful, everywhere present, faithful, full of grace and mercy ... thank You, Lord.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning."

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

(One Thousand Gifts #179-189)