The pungent smell of the huge lilac bushes permeated the air as I sat in my turquoise chair enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with creamer. I was back at our family home, watching the partial sun rise on an overcast morning. As I read my morning devotions, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of God's love.
A robin chirped as she flew low over my head. This little bird had already hatched and dispatched three baby birds. This was her second round of egg laying right outside my bedroom window. Every night when I closed the curtains, she’d squawk and fly away, perching on a tree branch, looking straight at me. Every morning when I opened the curtains, she’d follow the same routine.
This particular morning, I opened the Bible App on my phone to: Bible in One Year with Nick and Pippa Gumbel. It read in part: The Greek world for Holy Spirit, parakletos, literally means ‘one called alongside.’ It has a multifaceted meaning—counselor, advocate, comforter, encourager, helper, someone to stand by you, he who is to befriend you. “Yes!” I thought, as my mind went to all the ways in which Holy Spirit continually brings security and peace to my life. He is my Best Friend.
I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.—Jesus
Heavenly Abba, thank You for spring’s beauty. I see Your glory all around. Thank You for this home that is our family’s Retreat. A place built by the love between a man and a woman and their God. It refreshes my soul as I watch my grand babies play in the yard and soon enough, splash in the pool. Amen.
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. Galatians 5:1-3