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The bedrooms of my children house more memories than a library full of books. The doorframes have been gateways to relationship. Access points of intimacy. Invitations to community.
Over the years the space beyond each threshold has fostered fun, friendships, frazzled feelings and family. It’s been a meeting place of life and love. An incubator for growth, depth, conversations and dreams.
The floors have held dance parties, dirty clothes, discipline, and daily drama. The air has held honest whispers and lingering lullabies, screams and songs… prayers, promises and plans.
That space is a place of misunderstanding and tantrums, of teaching and reaching, of decorations and celebrations. A beautiful dwelling place of knowing and being known.
Psalm 84 echoes this type of warmth, joy and depth of connection in the sacred space of our Savior.
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
(Psalm 84:1-2)
Trust is built. Burdens are shared. Barriers crumble. Tears are caught. Blessing and strength abound in God’s presence. Hope, favor and good things are found.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you…
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
(Psalm 84:4-5a, 7)
The holy dwelling place of God is incomprehensibly eternal, yet simply accessible with just the whisper of His name.
Almighty Lord… Gracious Father… Loving King…
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield. He grants favor and honor (CSB) … He gives us grace and glory. (NLT) No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (ESV) … from those who live with integrity (CSB) … from those who do what is right (NLT).” (Psalm 84:11)
By grace you and I are invited to dance at His feet, walk streets of gold, and join in the worship that rises continually before His throne. God desires an intimate, personal relationship.
So do I. So do I. So do I.
One day in His courts, in the beauty of His presence, is surely better than a thousand elsewhere.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
(Psalm 84:12)
Holy Lord,
You are glorious and good. Gracious and kind. Worthy of all praise and honor.
Your presence is a treasure of strength, protection and abundance. My deepest joy comes from knowing You and being fully known. Help me to live with integrity and to trust You more each day. Remind me run to You with everything, especially my love.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Read Psalm 84.
Now reflect on the text. What are a few things that stand out to you? What verse resonates most with your heart? Would love to hear your answers! 🌸😄 Leave a comment on the wall of my blog. Share in community. Encourage one another!
Love and blessings to you, friend.
GWEN
🌸 HEY! CAN I COME TO WORK WITH YOU?
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Comments 6
Dear Gwen,
I appreciate your love for Jesus and how you want to help other women to find joy and strength through daily time with Him by our side. My days are full helping take care of my precious Great Grandson! (He’s 12 months old) I’ve been helping since he was born! 🙂 Your blog today talked a lot about memories with our children growing up, this is exactly what goes through my mind as Henry plays with my children’s things! Wow! What a Blessing and privilege it is to be able to do this at age 66 1/2! Your blog gives me a perfect chance to share my heart with other Christian Women! Thank you for your heart of reaching out to us!
Love You!
Patty
GWen I just wanted to thank you for your consistent encouragement in my life. I look forward to your emails, anything I get from you is Pure JOY! this verse stood out to me “Remind me run to You with everything, especially my love.” I need to remember to ALWAYS run to GOD with everything! Small or BIg He is there
Much Love sister
belinda west
In The Message Psalm: 10-11 says: One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I’d rather scrub floors in the house of myGod than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
“let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
let us not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing but let encourage one another even more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10 24- 25 love this Bible verse so much.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Gwen, I want to thank you for your email today, May 7. It is so filled with peace and beauty and hope, and all over calm.