This is a season of reflection; a time of repentance, preparation, prayer and fasting. An opportunity to focus our sights on true discipleship and becoming who God created us to be in the midst of being our most real and authentic selves.

When a infant is hungry, frightened or uncomfortable in any way, they cry out hoping to be heard. Maybe they feel anxiety or fear that they've been abandoned. Exhausted, they sometimes cry themself to sleep thinking that nobody heard them. 

When help arrives it comes with a comforting touch and gentle words that calms fears and soothes a troubled spirit. Lifting them up and holding them closely, reassures them that they're not alone. 

What does this have to do with your walk of faith during this time in the 'dry places'?...Everything friend. That love- embrace, the one that says: "everything is going to be alright" is what is needed in that moment.

As adults, we never outgrow the need of physical touch. A consistant presence of peace in the middle of the storms of our lives, when our hope seems waining and darkness is closing in.

Those times when our mounting struggles break us down and our ability to cope is overrun,  when even the every-day little stuff of life seems to be too much to deal with.

Overwhelmed and exhausted, we fall to our knees and wonder if God even hears us crying out in the pain and turmoil. Like a child, we're in dire need of comfort and reassurance. Suffering in mind, body and spirit.

Jesus was no stranger to suffering. He wept at the loss of Lazarus; his bitter agony in the garden of Gethsemene and his passion of torture and crucifixion. Jesus knows suffering, and He knows you.

Scripture tells us this:

"Take heart, for God is close to the broken hearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit". (Psalm 34:18)

An urgent  message to the broken. A message of hope to those afflicted. 

As you go through this time of getting closer to God you may feel more painfully aware of of how sinful you are. We all do, because the closer we are to a Loving God the more sinful we're going to feel because of who we are and....how loved we are, all because of who God is.

Ask God to touch you and to take hold of you; to give the assurance you seek when you cry out. May you be overtaken by His peace and may He give you the ability to rest knowing His peace is all you need. 

O child of God, your heavenly Father loves you deeply, may there be in you an immediate response to that familiar touch of the one who loves you so deeply. May His embrace calm you from your fears and release you from your anxiety. Amen    

Read: Psalm 88: 1-2; Psalm 55: 16-17; Psalm 143:1 ; Psalm 38:17-18

Lord,

I confess my sins and failures to you and I am very sorry for having sinned against You.  Give me the strength to seek and accept Your forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you poured yourself out completely and died for me that I would have eternal life and I claim that wonderful and indescribable gift of salvation.

Create a clean heart in me and renew me in mind, body and spirit.

I consecrate myself to you Lord and ask that you use me according to your holy will.

I pray in Jesus name.

Amen