A group of us gathered in someone’s living room to work our way through the next session of a Bible study. We sat quietly as the video component ended, surprised by who spoke up in response first.
“Sorry you all had to sit through that,” the quietest woman in the room grinned, “because that was just for me.”
We all know what she meant.
One of the amazing abilities of our Lord is reaching out to us individually while reaching out to us all.
His sweet love and unique relationship with each of His children involves personal gifts and private moments. There are inside jokes and memories that hold us warmly, tucked into His care.
One of the kindest, more precious things the Lord has taught me is this: He doesn’t just care for me, He cares about me.
One of the kindest, more precious things the Lord has taught me is this: He doesn’t just care for me, He cares about me. Click To TweetSometimes the sunrise’s streak of gold peeking over the trees is just for me.
The weather isn’t what everyone wanted, but He did it for me. I asked last night.
Whoever donated those exact boots to the thrift store didn’t know it, but they were just for me, an unexpected gift from the Lord.
My husband’s shoulder, though not his own selection, isn’t too large or too small. It’s just right- made, I believe, just for me and my heavy head.
As I speak to God on a matter, asking a specific question, He rephrases it back to me with an answer through the song on the radio proclaiming truth I need in that moment. The lyrics are familiar, but that time, He played it just for me.
At the end of one Saturday, I am tired of struggling and weary. Settling into bed, I open a book I’ve been struggling to enjoy, one I’ve grown tired of plodding through. I’m reading it only because I committed to. But THAT chapter rubs salve on my soul. Words just for me, custom shaped from an author’s keyboard to my aching heart by the Lord’s own hands.
I open the Good Book, the only one I’m known to actually hug goodnight, to the page I left off on. This is His word, active and alive, and it quickly enfolds those feelings of fear in the triumphant embrace of the one who died just for me. Words spoken a couple thousand years ago, spoken right now to me by the same Savior.
In the words of the Isaiah 25:1, “Lord, you are my God.”
And because of Christ, I’m more than just God’s creation, set on my course alone. I’m God’s child.
Because of Christ, I’m more than just God's creation, set on my course alone. I’m God's child. @BethanyMcIlrath Click To TweetDo you know if you’re His child, too?
As His child, do you see God’s good gifts- the just for you kind?
It’s a precious gift, this truth that God cares so much for just me and just you.
It’s a precious gift, this truth that God cares so much for just me and just you. Click To TweetWe’d love to hear in the comments about something God’s done just for you this Christmas season!
{A version of this post was previously posted here}
LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
Linkup Party is open! This week, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath shares a profound truth that fills this Christmas with significance: God cares for you and me in a very private, individual way. Join us & Share your blog! Click To Tweet
The personal message that comes through God’s Words to us and to the faithful who have read them throughout the centuries–it’s a gift whenever we open the pages. Thank you, Bethany!
Yes it is! Praising Him!! Merry Christmas!
Just this morning I was listening to Dr. Stephen Davey on the radio while making my breakfast. He’s been going through biographies of some Christians of the past. This morning he talked about Katarina Luther, wife of Martin. I’ve read about her several times, but in the brief part of the message I heard, Davey brought up something I had not considered before. Martin and Katarina had been monk and nun before they married, living in a monastery. They’d had a lot of time alone. But on their wedding night and most of their lives, they had people dropping in, something staying for months. They soon had ten children. Davey pointed out that that’s where character is made, in the chaos of everyday life. That hit me because just this morning I had prayed for grace for the coming two weeks when family would be coming in, my husband would be off, we’d have a lot more going on, and quiet time would be at a premium. Though I love them and this season, I can get overwhelmed. This reminder from the Luthers’ life was poignant for me this morning. God’s grace is sufficient.
My husband and I have enjoyed Dr. Stephen Davey’s teaching too! What a great point about character being made in chaos, and how kind of God to bring that up as you were thinking about everything overwhelming coming up!! Praising Him with you! Merry Christmas!
It is so awesome when God drops into your day just what you need to hear or see. To think the creator of the universe is a personal God! I can’t get over it.
Me either!! Merry Christmas!!
Love this. I have been thinking a lot this week as I’ve studied the Christmas story that if there had only been me, He would still have done it all. laurensparks.net
It’s true. What a Savior!! Merry Christmas!
Bethany, this was just for me! I like how you said, “There are inside jokes and memories that hold us warmly, tucked into His care.” So true. Thank you for warming my heart today.
Aw, praise God!! Merry Christmas!
He is a good God indeed . I have been experiencing His special moments a lot lately as I go through a difficult time. Thank you for this devotion today. It reminds me of Hagar when she recognized Him as El Roi… the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13).
I’m sorry for the difficult time, and so glad God has been clearly present. I love that part of Hagar’s story too! Merry Christmas!
This is beautiful, Bethany. Love the thought that the Lord doesn’t just care for us but ABOUT us. And this: “His sweet love and unique relationship with each of His children involves personal gifts and private moments. There are inside jokes and memories that hold us warmly, tucked into His care.” Such powerful truth to cling to! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Karen! Praising Him!! Merry Christmas!
I often feel that way too, that he sends lessons “just for me” even though they may be dispersed to a large crowd of people. I love that God is so personal and so pointed in the ways he loves us!
I’m so grateful for His personal care, too! Merry Christmas!!