God really does
Blessed by the Brooksides
At work, we have a stash of snacks that gets moved around, depending on which room we’re in that week. My very favorites of our snacks are the little bags of dark chocolate Brookside acai berries. Anyway, last week, on a particularly stressful day, I asked my colleague if he could bring me a little bag of Brooksides from the snack box. He disappeared and came back a few minutes later with a consolation bag of fruit snacks. “Sorry, Jane,” he said, “the Brooksides are all gone.”
“That’s okay,” I responded. “I will probably survive.”
But three minutes later, he returned with the biggest smile on his face and one little bag of Brookside acai berries in his hand. “I took one last look for you, and I found these at the bottom of the box!” he laughed. “And I said to myself, wow, God really does love this girl.”
I share this story because it’s so dang cute, but also because it reminded me of a comment a friend made to me last weekend. We were talking about how God is working in our lives, and I shared a story of how I had felt particularly loved by the Lord that week. She responded, “Wow, I really want Jane’s Jesus. Can I have Jane’s Jesus?”
These two instances stick out to me because they point to some important things. First, for better or worse, I speak very openly with the people around me about what God is doing in my life. And second, because I do this, they know that God loves me — and they use that to remind me when I forget. I think it’s important to do this for myself (to remind myself how He is always at work) but my deeper hope is that it also reminds the people around me that God loves them in the same way.
(A hilarious sidenote story is that as I was editing this newsletter just now , a partner I work for called me about something and told me, “Jane, you just have to let Jesus take the wheel,” which is exactly what I’m talking about. My people know my language!! )
I remember being in college and having friends who I felt like were God’s favorites, mostly because they would confidently announce, “I am God’s favorite!” And what I saw in these friends was something really interesting: they were hyper aware of all the ways God was loving them. And not only were they aware of the ways God was loving them, but also they were constantly inviting Him to love them.
For example, I would be sitting with a friend somewhere and she would say, “Wow, I really wish I had a coffee right now. Jesus, I want a coffee!” And a few minutes later, someone would come wandering up to her with an extra cup of coffee. Or I would have friends say things like “God, I would really love to be loved in this specific way right now,” and the Lord would provide clearly and generously.
To be clear, God is not a genie — He is not a magical ATM that gives us everything we ask for whenever we ask for it. But He is good father, and a good father delights in giving His children good things:
Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
Matthew 7:9-11
The biggest theme among these friends was that they were constantly, relentlessly asking God to love them and giving God permission to love them. And because of that, we saw the fruit. God loved them! Now, does God love them any more than He loves me? No, but because these friends were boldly asking Him to love them, constantly throwing themselves like little children at the feet of a good Father and asking Him for good things, His responses were brilliantly visible.
That posture was contagious, because obviously, who doesn’t want a coffee? Who doesn’t want little gifts and other expressions of love? So I picked up the habit back then, and over the past 10 years have become more and more convicted that when I ask the Lord for something, when I give Him the desires of my heart, He always responds. He doesn’t always give me what I want (I don’t always get Brookside chocolates), but He does always give me what I need. And He’s way more abundant than I could ever deserve.
And so, yes, God loves me. And my Jesus is a good Jesus, but He’s also your loving God and your good Jesus. And so I invite you, if you’re feeling a little discouraged, or maybe you haven’t really asked God for anything recently, start today. Start with silly little things! I love to bring Him the smallest things because I know that when He shows up there, it strengthens my faith that He’s showing up in bigger ways, too.
God loves you. You are one of God’s favorites. My Jesus is your Jesus, and He wants to provide. There are definitely seasons where I can see and feel it more than others, but I never stop running to Him and you shouldn’t either. Be like the persistent widow who comes to the judge constantly with a full heart and deep faith that He responds. It’s like one of my favorite lines in the Litany of Trust:
That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me, Jesus, I trust in You.
It’s true, my friends.
In Christ,
Jane
Tis the time of year for curries and stews — I love making a big pot of soup or Bolognese on a Saturday afternoon, and souper cubes are perfect for me to store extra soup in the freezer and pull out the perfect portion whenever I’m craving a yummy curry or sauce. This is my preferred size but they have many options! They’re great!
Don’t waste a crisis
I was catching up with one of my best friends this weekend and he commented to me, “don’t waste a crisis!” and I truly died laughing. But what a silly and hopeful comment! When something goes awry, why not allow it to send you off in a new and meaningful direction?!
Books that impact the way you live
There’s nothing better than reading a book that actively impacts your life as you read it — Story of a Soul, Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc, and He Leadeth Me are examples of books that have done (and continue to do) just that. I’m currently reading another one: Ryan Holiday’s Courage is Calling. It’s packed with historical stories of men and women of heroic virtue and courage. It did make me feel like running through a wall and I felt very brave this weekend!
By their fruit you will know them
Loved this reflection from Lauren Alkhal — a great reminder of the simplicity and joy of discerning with God.
Olivia Dean fangirl
I loveeee Olivia Dean and this song has been my bop this fall! Her live performance on SNL this weekend was incredible, I absolutely cheesed the whole way through — I’m so proud of her!! I dare you to listen without dancing.
Prayer intentions
A friend walking through a breakup
For a friend who just got engaged!
A special intention