Wholehearted (The Last One. . .)

It takes great courage to let someone see your heart, and to pursue someone else's.
It takes immense compassion to allow another person's heart to find a home in yours.
It takes intense desire to pursue connection with others when it can seem like connection hurts.

My mom was a woman that lived with the courage to love me even when I didn't deserve it.  She modeled compassion toward me when I was hurting and didn't feel like I had many options.  And she did this through the best way imaginable:  hugs.  She always had a hug ready for me and it always made a difference.

My mom was a wholehearted person, and I was supremely blessed by her because of it.

I'm not sure I'm living up to my mom's standard of wholeheartedness, but I do know that I strive to live that way.  And I am confident that this is a good life goal because I know firsthand how it brings hope and healing for others.

Maybe you have someone in your life that lived wholeheartedly and loved you with courage, compassion and connection.  If you do, take some time to thank them for this immense gift.

Or maybe you haven't experienced this and desire to but it seems absolutely impossible. Well, I want to let you in on a little secret:  my mom could only do this because someone did it for her, and that someone was Jesus.

Jesus is the ultimate example of wholehearted living.  And He promises to reach into our lives with the kind of love that brings the blessing of courage, compassion and connection as no one else can.

So I pray for you today:  "Jesus, I ask that you reach into the life of that one who is reading this right now and begin to pour out your courageous, compassionate and connecting love.  May it overwhelm them and show them just how much you they mean to you.  Jesus, lift them out of despair or frustration or loneliness and fill them with your presence.  Draw them close to you I pray. Amen."

We are in this together friend. . .
B