Destiny Driven

I was beside myself. Izzie, our curly headed three year old had broken a rule, was disciplined and now she was missing.

I ran through the house, frantic and close to tears. Craig and Kaitlyn joined the search. We could not find her. Finally, out of desperation I stopped and cried out at the top of my lungs, "Iz-zie!!! Isabel-laaaa!" Suddenly the Holy Spirit spoke to me to check my bed where I had been packing a huge suitcase for Craig and I. Throwing back the flap of the case I saw a small lump under my comforter. Qickly I yanked the quilt back and found Izzie hiding with her hands covering her sweet little face.

As I gathered her in my arms and hugged her close to my chest she looked me in my eyes. "Are you mad at me Mommy? I'm sorry Mommy, I love you!"

Of course my heart melted and I quickly forgot and forgave whatever the wrong had been. My little girl was back in my arms!

Fast forward a day later. I was in an intimate time of worship with the Father. His presence was so heavy, thick. I could hear Him so clearly.

"Tara, do you remember yesterday when Isabella was missing?," He whispered in my ear.

"Yes Lord, I was so desperate to find her. Nothing else mattered except finding Isabella!," I replied.

"There was desperation, and emotion in your voice," He reminded me. "When you yelled her name, that was a testament of your genuine love for her."

"I do love her and I was so set on finding her even though she had disobeyed me," I said.

"Tara, there was a day that I was that desperate to find you," the Father said. "I looked past every wrong and I yelled your name in declaration that you were mine and I would hold you in My arms again."

Immediately, my heart overflowed with gratitude, my eyes spilling tears. In my spirit I saw the Father, at my lowest points in life, stand up and with everything He hadn yell my name at the top of His lungs. He was calling me back home.

That picture has stayed with me. It is one I cannot forget.

The Word tells us that He has redeemed us, He has called us by name, we are His! And no matter what wrong we've committed or discipline we require, His love is unconditional.He will always be desperate to hold us in His arms again.