A few summers ago, my son, Mark, was working at a family camp. While the mountains were breathtaking, the friends were plentiful, and the food was every teenager’s dream, he missed home. Not horribly — but just enough to tug on the vulnerable places of his heart.
I knew he needed some sweet comfort from home. So, I packaged up some things he needed and a few things I knew would make him happy and sent my gift of love.
After a few days, I kept wondering when I’d get a text message from him with smiles and thank you’s and “Wow! You’re the best mom ever.” A girl can dream right?
But no text message came.
Each day that went by I got more and more frustrated by his lack of acknowledgement of my gift. Then I started to wonder if he’d ever even received it. So, I had Art, my non-emotional husband, call because he could simply ask, “Did you get the package from Mom?”
Our son answered, “Oh yeah, I did get a box from Mom, but I haven’t opened it yet.”
Hunh?
Who receives a gift of love packaged up and sent to them and doesn’t even take the time to open it?
In that moment I felt the Holy Spirit prick my soul, “Lysa, sometimes you do this very same thing. Oh, if you only knew the number of experiences God Himself has packaged up and sent your way that you didn’t take time to open . . .
Or the number of times God has planted a bunch of wildflowers at the end of your driveway just to make you smile but in the rush of where you were headed, you didn’t notice . . .
Or the number of times God has treasures in His Word waiting for you to uncover that would perfectly prepare you for something you’d be facing that day if only you’d lingered with Him a little longer.”
Psalm 14:2 says,
“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”
I wish this verse were worded differently. I wish this verse read: “The Lord looks down from heaven to see MANY who understand, MANY who seek God.” But that’s not the reality of the verse. And sadly, sometimes in the rush of all I feel I must do, it’s not the reality of my life.
I want it to be. But my soul is so prone to distractions.
Seeking — really seeking — is more than just reading a few verses in the morning and trying to be a good person that day. Seeking requires me to sacrifice the things I feel compelled to chase after so that I can be available to notice God’s clear direction.
Whatever we chase, like it or not, gains our full attention.
And I wonder sometimes why I feel a little insecure — a little unsettled — a little disappointed with things I thought would make me so happy. I guess you could say sometimes I get a little homesick.
While I love vacationing here in this world for what I think will be 80 years or so, I know where my real home is and I know Who is waiting for me there.
And now I know He takes time to tie up little care packages from home — a few things I need and a few things He knows will just make me happy.
Then God waits . . . to see . . . if I’ll notice . . . if I’ll remember . . . if today will be the day . . . that I lift up my face . . . pause in the busyness . . . and really seek Him.
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Thank you so much for this, Lysa. Words I needed to hear and digest. Choosing to look up and take notice of His goodness today…looking for grace in the hard.
Lysa,
I, too, can be so distracted…missing the love notes that God puts throughout my day. Thankfully, He also sends me reminders – like your post- that get me to slow down and live more intentionally. I pray so often, Lord give me eyes to see You. One of the great gifts is that we can always ASK God to open our eyes…enable us to truly see. Starting this day with that prayer right now! Thank you for pointing me in the right way again…
Blessings,
Bev
This is so true! Sometimes I feel like life is so fast-paced that it’s almost impossible not to be consumed by day-to-day details at some point along the way. I’ve had times when I definitely did not have my attention fixed where it should be, and I feel sad to think of the messages from God I might have missed. I just had to learn that focusing on the right things is intentional. And now to be consistent about doing it….
Very timely. Our son started working at a camp yesterday and it was a very hard day for him and for his momma! I can see how this relates to our Heavenly Father.
I love it that today two posts I’ve read are about spiritual distraction! That’s me all too often and I love those “God-stops” along the way where I see Him doing something tailor-made for me.
I’m new to this site, but I joined this as well as a few other sites like Joel olsteen and my church sends mini messages. I find that as I am checking my email this forces me to slow down read them, reflect and pray on whatever is that flows through my mind which happens to be a lot when your raising 19,18, and 14 year olds and daycare owner on my own. I need all the prayers I can get throughout the day:) so thank you for this one as I couldnt agree more! My 2 oldest are out of the home and I am sure this will happen more often, and it’s easy to focus on what we didn’t receive back where reading your input on how God is feeling the same thing will make me stop and appreciate things more.
Thank you
lysa this spoke to me I too get distracted u bought up flowers I went for a walk and picked some wild flowers some daisies and put them in a vase one of gods beauties ty for this post
This message is a care package from God. I need to stop stress eating long enough to open the others He has been sending me.
“Seeking” is what I’m missing! My few verses in the morning, if I take time even for those, is leaving my gift unwrapped! Thank you for your inspiration!
Wow. Thank you so much for THIS post THIS morning. My heart is being tenderized by the Holy Spirit this morning regarding the goodness of God. Then I read this post and I’m convicted because I do so quickly forget the goodness of God and get caught up in things that truly don’t matter. I’m amazed at how quickly ( a nano second) I move from praising God to worrying and questioning His sovereignty and goodness. Thank you for the reminder that my heart should always be in a position of praise end thanks because God is always giving beautiful and free gifts, no strings attached and tied with the most beautiful bow, Jesus the Christ, my Lord and Savior.
There are many packages of love, and you are correct that many of us are distracted by the “to do” list. It only takes moments to praise God for His love packages and it is part of having a relationship, as if He is sitting next to me as I drive around, do my work, enjoy my life, struggle through my challenges…because he is sitting next to me and I must make space, lift up my head, open my eyes, allow my heart to be touched, and put forth the effort to invite someone to do the same with me. Thanks for your reminders, your humble words, which encourage me and guide me. Blessings to you Lysa!
I really love this Lysa. Thank you.
I love this Lysa. Thank you.
Thank You Lysa for your words of encouragement. I have been a Lysa Terkeurst follower now for over 10yrs and Prov 31 ministries and now fairly new to ( incourage) You have been a spiritual inspiration to me for all those years. We have never meet face to face but have been to she speaks and meet others from P31. You have a special place in my heart! Love to you!
Thank you Lysa for this encouraging story. I am in the need of much emotional healing and God has been sending me ‘love packages’ in the form of many of the devotionals from (in)courage like this beautiful one I received this morning!
Lysa,
Your message is well received, thank-you.
Penny
Thank you for this reminder. I struggle with depression and anxiety and that makes it difficult to notice the blessings around me. So many of my thoughts are negative and hopeless. I need prayer too. I seek God daily. If anyone can relate to me, please pray for me to be free from this horrible bondage.
Dear Mary, Praying for you!
I’ve just been diagnosed with PTSD, so really feel for you. It gives me a little glimpse into your struggle. I’ve just finished reading Matt Rogers’ Losing God: Clinging to Faith through Doubt and Depression and it was such an encouragement to me, showing me that we are not alone in our struggles. I can really recommend it, as I can Angie Smith’s What Women Fear. Also, I can really recommend putting Bible verses that speak of God’s love for you on the fridge:
Deuteronomy 33 : 12
” Let the beloved of the LORD
rest secure in Him, for He
shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD
loves rests between His shoulders.
Romans 8:38
“For I am convinced that neither
death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able
to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jeremiah 31 : 3
“I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. ”
Praying God’s love and peace over you. Also see Psalm 61.
Thank you for this Lysa I find myself distracted
I am broken. More than that, I feel shattered. You are right, what we focus on gets all our energy and attention when that empty dream we chase is not deserving of the energy or time. And yet, the cycle continues. We know God is always present. We know He loves us. And yet, we take that for granted. We think the rejection, feeling of inadequacy, loneliness defines our lives. And then we go back to God, apologize and then fall back into the same cycle knowing that our actions are not exactly what may be right, but thinking that we should at least try- convincing our selfs that the actions are baby steps forward. In reality, we are just slipping back.
I am stuck. I know it. And though the logical side of me says to move forward, I have allowed being stuck to define me. To believe what I know it destructible. I have faith. I feel His presence. And He is very patient with me. I am a tree with no roots who manages depression and anxiety every day.
The enemy tries to fray the tie that binds me to the One I know I can count on. But in my despair, I feel lonely and want so many do-overs. It is a struggle to trust. I could win academy awards for acting like everything is okay when my spirit and heart and soul feel like they have taken a beating.
Of course any medical professional will try to diagnose, prescribe meds and offer therapy. And for some it works. And for others, like me, it’s like putting a band-aid on a broken arm.
My husband left almost five years ago. He is remarried. The divorce was traumatic for me. And that is where I am stuck. My daughter won’t talk to me because I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She is in med school but blames me for her low grades. My son just graduated from Texas State. He is a good young man who carries Christ in his heart. I live for my son-nog that I do not love my daughter, but my son and I are a daring duo.
So, your story is especially important to me. Though the the thoughts and advice sound logical and attainable, please pray for me that I stop feeling like I am alone on an island.
Blessings to you for your ministry,
Dolores
Dolores,
Prayers for you and your family! May you find peace and contentment!! Try putting some scriptures on the fridge or in your car to remind you of His love for you!
Romans 8:38
“For I am convinced that neither
death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able
to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs”
Romans 5:8
“But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
I pray this helps some! Remember God is ALWAYS with you wherever you go!!
Blessings 🙂
Thank you. :). I have scripture on my fridge and my mirror – but I embrace the ones you sent as an authentic reminder. God is good – His message through your discernment is powerful.
Beautiful post Lysa. I needed this reminder to slow and savor-not missing His gifts in the rush.
Lysa
Such an insightful and encouraging post! In this fast paced go go go world we get so easily distracted. It can be hard sometimes to notice the nice care packages God wraps for us daily! It only takes a minute to notice a nice sunset, or sunrise, rainbows, flowers, etc.
Blessings 🙂
This explains so many things that I’ve been struggling with lately. It’s all about keeping my eyes on Jesus above my selfishness. That, however is much more easily said than done. I’m very grateful that the Lord has allowed me to experience His mercy to know that I can always return to His arms no matter how many distractions I’ve chased after. I can give my full attention back to Him as often as I need to and His forgiveness meets me each time.
Amazing words of wisdom! Thank you for sharing
Thank you. I am working hard at. Ignoring distractions. God deserves our full attention and life pulls us away do often. I found this very inspiring.
So many times we become busy with the things in this life, that we fail to recognize the beautiful Moments God created just to lift your spirits and encourage you to press on, Father forgive me.
This spoke to my heart in an inspirational and also in a good convicting way. I know I so often take advantage of all God has blessed me with. I have a loving family, a roof over my head, friends, freedom etc…, and yet so often I don’t acknowledge that. I don’t take the time that I should to thank God for His blessings. Like you say, it becomes more like an unopened gift and something that I don’t think about. I know I need to do better and really thank God for the countless blessings. I want to stop focusing on what I don’t have and the things in my life that have been taken away, wishing I had that again and instead be thankful for what I have. Even though I’ve been going through heavy storms and trials, God has been there and through the storms He has continued to bless me with gifts that I would not have received otherwise. Thank you for this. You are one of my favorite writers and I’m inspired by you. I hope to one day publish my story and let God use that to speak to others who are hurting. God is good and ever so faithful.
Hi Lysa! Thank you so much for this post. It was a great reminder to slow down and be present to all the blessings and joy God infuses into my day. I’m working on decluttering my schedule, so that I can have more time to notice love gifts from Him. This article also helped remind me to do things for his glory, rather than for the the credit I often crave for myself. Thanks!
This post made me tear up. How true! Thank you for reminding me. 🙂
Just today I have an extremely rare day off alone and my Beloved whispered “Come away with Me. ” With so much demanding my attention I almost set it aside, but I am glad that I didn’t.
This is very timely and true: as I reflected I recalled times when these Love Packages were only partly noticed: the rainbow on the way home from work that I barely acknowledged for example.
I read a teaching by a Rabbi that said whenever your spouse enters the room you should turn entirely to face him,look into his face and fully acknowledge him. This has revolutionized our relationship.
I wonder if we should do any less for Him?
Love and Blessings