With the fall season in full swing, I have found myself starting to become extremely busy. Friends and family are becoming comfortable enough to find ways to enjoy the fall festivities-while staying safe of course. With so many dates and times floating around in my head I dusted off my 2020 planner that I haven’t used much in the past few months due to the season of quarantine.
In the spirit of honestly, I have a significant amount of planners and organizers that I love but my 2020 planner is extra special to me. It’s a white spiral-bound notebook made by Rae Dunn. On the cover is one word written in a simple black font “Blessed”. I saw this planner in the store, I had it in my hands and immediately fell in love but when I looked at the price tag it would have put me over my monthly budget. I knew it wasn’t wise so I put it back on the self and continued on. A few days later one of my best friends surprised me with the exact notebook. She said she knew that I had been wanting a new planner and knew how much I enjoyed the Rae Dunn style (if you know you know) so she wanted to surprise me with this gift.
I was speechless and could feel tears weld up in my eyes. I didn’t deserve this gift nor did I do anything to earn it. But yet my friend saw this item, used her hard-earned money to buy it, then gave it to me just because she knew I would enjoy it so much. I was overwhelmed with the loving gesture. I kept thinking if this is how amazing it feels to be loved by one of my best friends, how amazing is it that we are also loved by God.
There are many verses in the Bible that tell of God’s love for us but one verse sticks out in my mind. In Hebrews 8:10,
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel, after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God and they will be my people. “
When I read this I was overwhelmed with love in that same way as when I received that planner. God gave us the law so that we would understand the best way to go about using our time and lives while we are here. He specifically designed the law for our benefit. Sometimes it can be hard to choose to follow but God wants us to be victorious over the sin in our lives. After he made the law he put it in our minds and wrote it on our hearts so we would be able to truly understand and be reminded of God’s goodness and grace.
The last sentence completely unravels my heart in appreciation in the truth that God declared; I am His own, and that He is mine. Can you imagine how crazy it would be to be a God to someone? God is accessible every second of every day. Even when we constantly turn away from Him, He is always there with open arms. He never gets tired, annoyed, bored, impatient, etc. He delights in our presence and is constantly pursuing our hearts. God declared in his word “These chosen people are mine, I will provide and care for them so much so that I would sacrifice my only son on the cross so that I can be closer to you.
God granted us these privileges when Christ died. God gave his people the new covenant with the promise to never leave or forsake us.
He is with us through the pandemic, wildfires, and the other craziness that 2020 has given us. He wants use to experience true freedom, peace and love that is found only in Him. And for that reason, I can honestly say that, just as my planner reads on the cover, I am so blessed.
Written by Kori Warren: Kori Warren serves as a Guest Services Representative and recent graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick with a BA in Planning and Public Policy. She is passionate about serving the Lord and showing His love for the people around her.
