"All is Grace"

" Leave everything and come with me into the desert. It is not your acts and good deeds I want; I want your prayer, your love." – Carlo Carretto

A desert.

A desert is a place of solitude.

When I think of a desert i think of a place full of dirt. dust.

no water.

There is nothing around except maybe a few bushes. When I read that quote i think it is saying leave everything you are doing, good or bad, and follow. Stop running around trying to do just good deeds. Stop trying to please people just to "earn" his love. But leave EVERYTHING and go into solitary mode. Go to the desert where there is nothing.

No water so you thirst for something more than yourself.

For your Father.

Somewhere where there is no help.

No help but the one and only God is all... who calls himself your helper and refuge.

So the only person you can ask for help is the Lord by calling out to him in prayer and giving him your love and affection fully.

Not to other by doing good acts or deeds, but all to him. It reminds me of the verse in Matthew... Matthew 6:6 that says,

" But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father will reward you."

I think it is a reminder for me being here as well to take time for myself to be alone with God.

I need to leave everything and go to the desert.

I need to pray and send my love.

I need to be with God in solitude.

The work i am doing is great and the Lord is grateful, but only if I am bringing him Glory.

Not me, which sometimes i get caught up in doing.

I am human.

That's what happens, but i need to be drawn away from that and be reminded who it is really for.

The glory goes all to Him.

It is easy to caught up in the things I do here.

It’s easy to be distracted and overwhelmed with doctor visits, sick children, high maintenance kids, and constantly going from 7 a.m. to whenever I can get my head to my pillow.

I am not complaining because I am blessed to be called here.

Blessed to be apart of God’s work here.

BEYOND blessed to be apart of a place that has the right motives and intentions for al of the children and workers.

But I do need to take time for myself.

To be filled up.

To be alone in the desert for a little while.

The relationship between God and I is nothing but a perfect love story.

The most beautiful love story I have ever had the privilege to be apart of.

A love story that shows a man who loved me so much he died for me.

A man died.

For me!

And I tend to cheat him and not give him all the glory.

All my love.

Everything I am.

He deserves all my love.

ALL OF IT!

I praise the Lord for the grace He offers so freely.

The beautiful amazing grace.

Thank you, Jesus.