In The Beginning....

Start Where You Are

Mary Adrienne

Starting is always the hardest part, isn’t it? New relationships. Where to begin? How to introduce oneself?

Whatever this is or will become — this writing — has more to do with His purpose than with my personality. So, let’s start there.

Our whole purpose for being here — His and mine — what drives me to write and share the stories we will eventually share, is so that your life might be lit up. So that you might know firsthand, from one who knows firsthand, that our God — yours and mine (He belongs to all of us) — is close by and wants nothing more than to love you. To have you turn and see Him and accept His love.

For many of us just the act of turning toward Him requires baby-steps. Looking at Him and actually seeing Him gaze back … well, that could take a while…maybe a lifetime. Don’t be discouraged if there’s a bit of trial and error, starting and flailing and then starting again, then again.

I will mention here, that if flailing and false starts has been your experience (as it has been mine), be assured, it’s not God who’s flailing. He’s patient and He loves us and isn’t going anywhere. Try again.

When you’re ready, really ready, He’ll still be there and He’ll reach out and break your fall, even if you stumble. He’s there right now ready to help and to teach, ready to act in your life. Ready to shower you with the full abundance of His love. It’s a LOT. Go slow, if you want. For now, just turn toward Him.

Pretend, if you have to. (I did.) Close your eyes and imagine Him, for just a moment in the privacy of your own room or your own thoughts or your car (don’t close your eyes while you’re driving). Imagine that He is sitting there next to you, right now. He’s waiting, longing for you to long for Him. Go on. Just try it for a moment. Talk to Him.

That’s it for now. We’ll talk more along the way. If you want, we can even talk about who I am and how I came to be here. But I guarantee you that my story, while VERY interesting to me, won’t be nearly as interesting to you as your own story, once He becomes part of it. And neither of us, nor our stories, are the point of this whole experience.

This experience of pure love, this relationship with Him —who is goodness and truth and beauty — this journey of learning how we fit, what essential role we are meant to play in His drama —this is IT. This is what life is all about.

We'll talk more soon. For now, I’ll leave you with a short Love Song that He’s given me to share with you.

Love Song To A Lost Sheep

Why are you so afraid, little one?

Why do you tremble at the sound of My voice,

Run and hide from My words?

If your ears should hear My love for you,

If your eyes should read My words,

written just for you,

What then?

What is it you fear?

Are you afraid if you lean on Me

or if you show Me your deepest self,

Your weaknesses,

Even your shame,

That I might turn away?

I won’t.

I promise.

My love is true.

It was and is and always shall be.

I will never turn from you.

If you let Me touch your heart,

If you listen to My hymns of love,

How could it hurt?

Might that small voice in you whimper

and catch in your throat?

Might tears of joy fill your eyes?

Might that ache that has so long weighed heavy in your heart

deepen all the more,

as your desire for love,

finally gives way to My love?

Don’t be afraid, My child.

Come. Dry your tears.

Rest in Me a while.

The time for our banquet draws near.

Be with Me.

Melt into my embrace.

Lean on Me for just a step or two.

We approach the precipice.

Quick! Take My hand!

Let Me help you fall in love with Me.

Oh, what beauty and goodness

I want to share with you.

I will show you your own beauty, too,

which I placed there in the beginning.

How I long for you to long for Me.

I’m here. Waiting for just a glimpse,

When a breeze might brush the veil between us,

causing it to flutter for just a moment.

If you glance up,

your eyes will be dazzled

by the brightness of My light,

Blinded for a time maybe.

But your heart will know the warmth of My touch.

You will know that I Am.

That you are Mine

and that I am yours for the asking.

But, oh sweet child,

I only give. I do not take.

You must be willing to be Mine,

for your sake.

Like our sweet Mary,

you must answer, “yes” to My call.

You must agree to receive My endless love.

That’s all.

Just a small step.

Just one little word.

Oh, please say ‘Yes.’

I will do the rest.

I will fill you with the feast of My love,

And we shall drink deeply, together,

the joy of your salvation.

Then bit by bit,

step by step,

we will walk together.

And we’ll dance,

and we’ll laugh,

and we’ll share the glory of My kingdom.