Some things are destined to happen sooner than you thought! #beautyhunt
6 Weeks old today! Due date in 2 days! #aimeestar

And THAT -
is how you do 52 days of intense medical care,
including 39 days in the NICU,
and come out brighter and more in love on the other side.

And, by THAT -
I am not referring to some super-human capacity,
which no one has.
What I exalt today - is 
THAT -
MERCY
Of God.

MERCY.

If anyone feels that you do not have a father; are grieving the father you lost, grieving the father you never had, have shame about the father you have been, or otherwise find this day painful - I want to share the GOOD NEWS that THE FATHER is adopting people TODAY! All ages, all kinds, anyone who wants to come home.
​
More @ https://www.iconnectup.net/come-home.html 
Facebook @iconnectup 
Instagram @iconnectup 

Tis grace that brought us safe thus far ... and grace will lead us home!

52 days of intense medical attention.
39 days in the NICU.
At last ... we turn our eyes, hearts, heads -
weary bodies -
persistent spirits -
rejoicing souls -
towards home.

Aimee Star is going home!

​They remove her breathing tube. She lets out a deep sigh. They begin arranging the next form of respiratory support, the CPAP mask is prepared. It will swallow her face again, shortly. I see my opportunity, to see her face, unobstructed for the first time.
 
Behold, a beauty.
A light in a dark time.
A precious life.
 
A beloved star of light.
Aimee Star Luse.
 
Has arrived.
33 weeks, premature.
Fluid in her lungs.
Emergency C-section.
 
Alive.

(Born on May 12, 2020, 7lb 11oz, 18 3/4 in)

A fathers affirmation. #beautyhunt

​Don’t we all look like this at times? We somehow become attached to a thousand artificial life sustainers while The Father hangs over our weary bodies to say, “You are beautiful. You are strong. You are loved. It’s going to be worth it. Don’t give up.” Receive His affirmation today.

Give freely of whatever you have to give, even when no audience is apparent. #beautyhunt 🎶

​In an empty hospital lobby (due to the pandemic), a man in a mask sits in the back corner and puts his hands to the keys. He gives his gift away freely, with no seen audience. Meanwhile, a slew of isolated and suffering souls sit behind glass windows that press us inward daily, but somehow gain an invisible crack to his music. We cannot thank him directly, or applaud, or even assure him that it matters. And yet, we are strengthened and uplifted by the power of his sound. Social distancing has not arrested this mans gift because he hasn’t stopped giving it away. How about yours?

Is there anyone you have a lot of confidence in? For example, if that person is involved, you know that things will succeed? Who is it?
 
A few people come to my mind, each with their own lane of strength. If my husband is involved in a project, I know that it will be done with integrity. He is a rule-follower. I admit, I am not. I have a friend who is deeply empathic. If she is involved in a project, I know for certain that the people around her will be well taken care of. There is a leader I served for a season who is secure in empowering people around him. I am confident that when he leads a project, those involved will be free to take ownership of their roles.
 
What about the flip side? Are you ever trusted in this way, where someone puts confidence in your involvement in something? How does it feel to be trusted?
 
Over the years, my most fruitful, creative, and powerful expressions of ministry and leadership were in contexts where I was trusted. The more confidence that was put in me, the better I performed. In environments of trust, I found myself spreading out wide, leaking creativity, and motivated to explore the potential of my contributions. In those environments, I was often the most surprised at the success of what was birthed. I did not know the capacity of what I was carrying until someone else put confidence in it. Trust liberates people to their potential.
 
Walk with me for a moment on this topic to Jesus.
 
Then they asked him,“What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29, NIV) / Believe (Strongs 4100) = to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.
 
This verse is striking to me. Consider that in the same way that our confidence in a person liberates their expression, our belief in Jesus liberates the work of God in our lives. God is longing for us to trust Jesus more deeply, to throw away every other crutch and discover a whole-hearted dependence on the Person of Christ.
 
Do you have confidence in Jesus’ involvement in your life? Do you trust that if Jesus is involved, success is imminent? 
 
These questions emerge from my own devotional times in recent days where Jesus is asking me to trust Him with very sensitive lanes in my own story. As He invites me into deeper trust, I am discovering again the liberty and empowerment that trust unlocks. The work of God is performed in our lives where our trust in Jesus is whole-hearted.

Friends, it is time to embrace a deeper trust in Jesus; to insist that He is on the scene with us, enjoying the confidence that breeds in our story. Make more room for Jesus in your process.

Take hold of His hand.
Let go of all others.
And, expect the best as a result!
 
This is the work of God.
To trust in Jesus.
 
Reflection:

1. Is there an environment where you feel trusted?
2. Is there an environment where you are positioned to trust someone else, and therefore unlock their capacity and potential?
3. What would it look like for you to trust Jesus more in this time of your life?