He is the same

Dear Benjamin,

Today was a tough day. Perhaps it is that Mother’s Day is just three days away, or maybe I'm still fuming over the dumb Dr. Seuss encounter, but whatever the reason, I’m missing you like crazy today.

I’ve been on a “read the Bible in a year” plan, which has now taken me almost three years to complete. But in the spirit of optimism, I’m already looking forward to next year because I have a brand new one-year Bible and plan to read out of that one rather than my normal study Bible.

For some reason, I got the urge to crack open my one-year Bible today and see what passage it had set aside for April 30, the day you were born.

I flipped it open, found the date, and couldn’t believe what followed:

Judges 11.

The story of Jephthah’s Daughter. My favorite Bible story ever, and the one that God used to show me so much of Himself that I had to go and write a book about it.

And it shows up on April 30.

I am amazed at how much our God cares about us. That was such a sweet gift and I was so grateful to find it. It was like He was reminding me once again that He never changes. Everything I learned about Him through JD’s story still applies today.

He still loves me. He still cares when I hurt. He's still not threatened by my grief. His ways are still best. His timing is still best. He still gives us sorrow in order to instill empathy in us. He still wants us to be honest with Him. He still wants us to cry, but He doesn’t want us to whine. We’re still to take the comfort His Spirit gives us and comfort others with it. He still loves me. He still loves me. He still loves me…

Benjamin, when you see Jesus today, would you tell Him thank you for me? It turns out I really needed that reminder.