Mary Spirit Week 3

Marked by Love.....In her book, Having a Mary Spirit, Joanna Weaver states; "I believe the ability to love people as we should, only comes from the security of knowing we ourselves are loved. For you cannot share what you do not have. This is another reason we need the Holy Spirit--- for He bears witness with our hearts that we are God's children and dearly loved." (Romans 8:15-16; 1 John 3:1) Which brings me to the thought process of the Sweet Southern young woman when asked... "So what has God been saying to you lately?" "Well, I have been realizing how much God loves me, but the most exciting thing is that I feel like He loves me more than ya'll"She quickly clarified that by saying that she knows that God loves everyone, and that she didn't think she was better than anyone else. "But you know, I still feel like His favorite!" She said with a wide grin.Then Joanna asked, "What happened to make you feel so secure in God's love?" What Happened? This question reminds me of the story of the mother who wrote a letter to all of her children to be read after her death... the mother wrote to each of her children telling them that they were her favorite, and then explaining why they were. And as a mother of four, I so understand this mother's heart... because each one of my children are my favorites... because God created each of them to be different and He knew that I would love them because of their differences.It also reminds me of my grandmother, whom I called Mammy. Her favorite hymn was In the Garden. I still here her sweet voice singing this song as she was busy in the kitchen or doing the laundry, or whatever she might be up to that day. But most especially singing it to me at night as I lay in my bed as a small child, waiting for sleep. I come to the Garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing.I'd stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me be falling, But He bids me go, thro' the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling. chorusAnd He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; And the Joy we share as we tarry there.None other has ever Known. Being 'raised' on this song, I know that I am special to Him.The times I spend with Him are special,Because the Joy We Share, As we tarry there, None other has ever Known. Oh Sweet Ones... You can know this Love, too.