To be known and loved

Listened to a Timothy Keller podcast this morning. [Rise] Public Faith. It's about the woman at the well and how Jesus spoke to her, knew her, and still loved her, infallibly, endlessly. He does the same for me and all of you.

It's a challenging look at how Jesus loves the world, and as a follower of Him, how I love. It left me feeling convicted and wanting to encounter more of Jesus. Reminded me of His unending grace. Pointed me in the direction of relationships that I have failed and inspired me to succeed in the future.

Beauty

She had come into her beauty. 

This was not the beauty of her youth and freshness, of which she had had a plenty. 

The beauty that I am speaking of now was that of a woman

 who has come into knowledge and into strength and who, knowing her hardships, trusts her strength and goes about her work even with a kind of happiness, serene somehow, and secure.

 It was the beauty she would always have. 

Her eyes had not changed. They still seemed to exert a power, as if whatever she

 looked at (including, I thought, me) was brightened. 

-  Wendell Berry

It has been a week of contemplating, "What is beauty?"

I read this last night and was so inspired by it. Words put together, like that quote, imputes beauty into this world and when read or spoken, can fill up it's reader or hearer and spur them in the direction of wanting to live up to those words. Can it be obtained, this beauty? Well, I sure know a few women like the woman spoken of by Mr. Berry. 

How, you might ask. 

God's grace. The ultimate beauty of beauties!

Morning kindnesses

I remember the times of old

I meditate on all Your works

I muse on the work of Your hands.

I spread out my hands to You

My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. 

                                           Selah

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness 

in the morning

For in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk

For I lift up my soul to You. 

Psalm 143:5,6 & 8