Hello Book Lovers!

Here’s a story I think you can appreciate. I was buying an audible book, Humble Roots. (If you want to know—it’s a great book). I pressed purchase then double clicked. Since I’m a frequent buyer, I have my phone set up to recognize me. Click, click—I walked through the steps.

“Face not recognized.” That’s silly, maybe it’s my glasses. I remove them. Click, click.

“Face not recognized.” Do I look that bad today? I tried on a smile. Double click.

“Face not recognized.” What? Do you have any idea how many books I buy in a year here? All through this app. You ought to recognize me!

Now, here is the dangerous part about being an apologist and a story spinner, my mind went into all the what ifs—fiction and non-fiction. Suddenly, a resolve entered my soul: I don’t ever want to hear those words from my Lord Jesus. “Face not recognized.” I thought back to struggles He’s carried me through. And I prayed, asking once again for His cleansing, His precious covering, I want to be Your girl—to walk and talk with You, forever! Keep me on Your path and hide me under Your wing. There is no place dearer than being with YOU, God.

On my next attempt, the purchase succeeded. But the lesson imprinted itself permanently on my mind. The beautiful truth is God never forgets His own. We, who are in covenant relationship with Him—He always recognizes. More than that, He welcomes us. It’s not a matter of “What have you done for me lately?” or “How much have you been seeking Me?” The benefit of closeness to God is ours because of Jesus’ sacrifice—both for the eternal and the daily walk with Him. He never forgets our face. Even if we’ve been away for a while. He recognizes:

• You
• Your voice
• Your call

No matter if you’ve been far, haven’t been in worship, haven’t kept things fresh. If we are His child, He is there for us.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
Psalm 34:15

If one of God’s own goes MIA, He leaves the 99 to chase after the one (Matthew 18:12-14). This is the committed love of God.

He welcomes us in our shortcomings, our sin, our weakness. There is never a time we need to figure out what to do to get Him to recognize us. He will always recognize us. Remember He promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

For those who are not yet His, you are but a prayer away (to learn more, go to onethingalone.com/salvation). For those who are His already, we are etched upon His heart. Our cries yield more tug to His heart than those of a nursing child to its mother.

As I prepared this letter, I paused to read a chapter in a gift my husband gave me for Christmas, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, by Asheritah Ciuciu. In God’s sweet providence I read, “This devotional isn’t to get more favor with God—Jesus already secured His approval when He took our place on the cross. You are preapproved in Jesus; He invites you to rest in His finished work.”

Jude 1:24-25

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for creating a place for us with You. Please remind us of who we are in Christ. Draw us to spend time with You. Tuck us under Your wing. Move us to be Your hands and feet. Much like our kids might want to pull up a stool to help us bake cookies, we want to work alongside You. In Jesus name, Amen!

In His presence is fullness of joy!