I saw a red rose cupped in the middle of two hands. The rose was in full bloom and fully opened. The rose began to grow and grow in size and its scent filled the room. The room looked like a room in a cabin, but as the rose grew, the room transformed into the palatial room with floor to ceiling windows and ornate gold decor on the walls and pillars. Many came to see the rose from all four corners of the earth. As they caught a whiff of the rose’s scent, they were enraptured. They fell to the floor and worshiped.
You are the rose I have grown from the moment I planted my seed in your heart. There were times when you were not beautiful nor did your scent attract. But I have used every season of life to prune and transform you. It had to happen. I had to prune every bit of sadness and sorrow from your heart. I did not want you burdened and downcast. But alive to my love-full of joy and rejoicing. And so it is.
Open your heart, even your very soul. I will pour in so much joy that you cannot contain it. The days of mourning are over. I have wiped the slate clean. Now your testimony will be of rejoicing and praise. That is who you are now; a sweet smelling aroma and a beauty to behold.
Don’t tell me I can’t do it. If it is my will, it will be done. And yes, it is my will. No one can stand against me, nor stop me. Nor delay me. I have set my mind to it and so it will be done.
Ask and watch how quickly it will be done. For years, you have asked for little; afraid you would be denied. Oh, little one. Do you not know I long to make you glad? There is nothing I can’t do. There is no length I will not go to to make you glad. Trust in me and let peace overtake you. Sleep well knowing I care for you.
I am El Shaddai, the God who protects you, feeds you, and cares for you. I am. There is no other before me. Live for me and me alone.
Deposit the cares of this world at my feet and live free. Free to love and to rejoice. Skip and dance in childhood abandon. Do you feel it? The joy stirring up inside of you? Open the lid and set it aside. Let joy boil over and consume you. It is my gift to you. My sweet smelling aroma is your very essence.
Let’s go. Walk through the door with me. It is open for you. Do not be afraid and do not fear. That is over and gone. Walk with rejoicing and praise. Come, let us go to the house of the Lord. For nigh is the day and I have prepared a feast to nourish your soul. Come and enjoy.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
The Shepherd's Embrace 