Comforting Thoughts - Day Twenty Six

I'm going to be in so much trouble by the time I'm done with this experiment, because some fully qualified, knowledgeable theologian is going to hunt me down an tell me everything I've processed incorrectly as I've thought about love and this chapter over the last 26 days. But I've tried to be honest all along that I'm NOT a theologian and I know it. I don't claim to be, I don't pretend to be, and truthfully, I don't want to be.

All I know are the bits and pieces of love-learning that have stuck out to me in this almost-month. And that is what I, in turn, share with you.

Today I thought about this part of the chapter: Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I got stuck on the last little phrase there. I am fully known. This week it has been a great comfort to me that God knows me completely. He knows what a crazy emotional wreck I can be, and He also knows exactly how to comfort me in my moments of wreckage. He knows how to love me better than anyone else. And I love the ways that this week, He has put a tangible spin on that love.

Tuesday, I desperately needed a hug. I was headed for the bathroom at work, hoping that I wouldn't start crying until I got there. And when I arrived, tears still on hold, there stood a friend of mine. And after one look at the dam about to burst on my face, she reached out her arms and gave me a great big hug. I went back to my office and prayed that God would send a specific friend to me - and not ten minutes later, she stood in my doorway. The next day, I prayed for an email - from someone, anyone - to be waiting in my inbox when I turned on the computer. And one sat there, just as I needed. Chocolate arrived in droves that day - both from those who knew my need and those who didn't. Wow...thanks God! I am fully known - and He knew exactly what I needed that day.

The other key to this verse is that I don't know fully. I am still waiting on that opportunity to come to pass in my life. But it will happen. In the meantime, though, I can rest assured that God knows me and loves me completely.

I'm at the beginning of another experiment too - one that I'll probably be writing about tomorrow. It's a lot of work - just like this love one has been. It's a different kind of work. More of a heart work. But tonight I feel ready to keep going with it too, knowing that the God Who knows me fully would not ask me to take it on if He did not know (KNOW - not think) I'm capable.