Immensely Loved

I have reached the age where driving 12 hours straight is just too much for me. I used to do the 12 hour drive to my folks in one day, but I also used to have brown hair, and skin that didn't drip like honey to the call of gravity. I knew I would stop halfway so I took my time driving yesterday. I stopped at a rest stop, then sat on a bench in the sun and checked my email. There was a totally unexpected surprise! I had sent some short stories to a magazine months ago. The editor had expressed interest and then never gotten back to me. I had forgotten all about it. But here was an email from a new editor telling me the old editor had been replaced, and this new editor wanted to see my submissions! I could not believe this blessing and encouragement! I thanked God for this wonderful completely unanticipated joy.

I drove a total of 6 hours on the first leg of the trip up to my folks, and stopped at the "safe" hotel I had reserved. I sat in my car looking sadly at the hotel. It was not in the historic district which was a few miles further north. I had hoped it was close enough for me to reach the historic district on my morning run, but it was not. It was just a cookie cutter hotel in a cookie cutter strip mall with cookie cutter restaurants around it. I decided to keep driving the four miles into the historic district, just to see the little town. Then I could always return to the cookie cutter hotel. I knew there was one historic hotel in the little town, but I also knew I couldn't afford it. As I approached the little town, I was utterly smitten.

I used voice command on my iPhone and asked it to call the historic hotel. My phone connected me with reservations. I told the receptionist that I wasn't quite a senior citizen, but I was close...and we didn't have AARP but we used to...and we didn't have Triple A Auto program, but we did have Geico....what kind of rate might she cobble together from all those inadequate but close things that receive special rates? I was now driving right in front of the historic hotel.

"Well, are you a Wyndham member?" asked the receptionist.
"I don't know," I said, eying the beautiful hotel. Oh how I wanted to stay in that hotel in the middle of that charming town, and run in the morning through those cobblestone streets.
I gave her my name.
"You are a Wyndham member!" she exclaimed, "Let me see if we have special rates for...any of those things...."
Lo and behold, they had a stupendous rate! It was what I was going to pay exactly for the boring cookie cutter hotel 5 miles from the charming historic district. I almost cried.
"Book it!" I yelped.
I parked, raced to the front desk, checked in, and dashed out to walk with my camera.

I was snapping pictures right and left, so full of joy it should almost have been illegal.

Then I returned to the hotel. Look at the pool:

If you follow my blog, you know that Monday at the abortion mill where I volunteer as a pro-life sidewalk counselor was a very hard day. I love my mission to speak life at that terrible place, but it is not easy. Some days are more rewarding than others, but Monday was one of the more distressing days, where we were confronted by a very angry young man who actually made me fear for our safety. I certainly don't expect "rewards" for doing what I feel God has called me to do...but man oh man, this felt like a reward as I wandered those beautiful streets, looking at those gorgeous old buildings in the gentle night, remembering the new editor who wanted to see my short stories!

It struck me that I am loved. We all are loved. Immensely loved by a God who expects much of me, but gives me so much more than I could ever give Him. I am filled to overflowing.
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Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Luke 6:38 

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Numbers 6:24-26 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.