Wave After Wave

Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips...

This is from the depths of my heart. I'm stuck on these lyrics from How He Loves:

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Even when I rejected him and turned from his ways, he pursued me ferociously, because his love surpasses anything I've known. It chokes me up to think about how much it must have hurt to watch his beloved run away from him, turn in disbelief of all he's done, drown in shame and guilt, and conclude I could do better on my own.

This all sounds cliche, but I can't deny it. Has the world ever known a lover who embodies perfect peace, love, endless grace and everything in between? Does anyone come close to the way God loves and cares for us? Looking at myself, my long-term devoted parents, the most chivalrous man on the planet - no one dares to come close to my living God.

It was God who sent my family to speak truth and kindness into me when I needed support, not judgement.
It was God who carefully planned each step of my life, so that I would eventually praise His name.
It is God who heals my aching heart, although I often get swallowed up in the pain of my own mistakes and past feelings at times.
It is God who holds me tightly, as I face the unknown of marriage and commitment.
It is God who is shaping and chiseling our character, as we learn to deal with one another's differences and weaknesses... it's hard, but so rewarding and worth every step. I think this one's going to be a life-long process!

All in all, I'm trying to wrap my head around all the incredible people and events surrounding my life. Six months ago, I saw myself in an entirely different place than where I am. I guess we never know where life takes us, and we're not always aware of all the big and small things He's doing in our lives. As for me, I'm caught in the mystery of his unraveling plan for me! I look back and I'm amazed at the beauty of his perfect plan.

I want to learn to be joyful, to the depths of my soul, because I have a savior I can hold fast to anytime, in whatever season, for all the days of my life.

x Sola