As Image Bearers we were made for belonging, relationship, intimacy, and joy. Dr. Jim Wilder states, “Developing trust through human bonds begins in infancy – bonding requires time, touch and togetherness. This is when we develop a picture of who we are- based on the images of other significant faces looking at us. When an infant is surrounded by others who see her in the same way God sees her – the person she is designed to be, these faces will communicate to her at a very young age her value and importance.”
So, what happens when the faces around you did not reflect to you the joy and the delight that God sees when He looks at you?
We become women of God who – walk around with our value misplaced. We do not live like a woman who has VALOR and VALUE. We live lost, alone and abandoned, our community and family of origin failed us. Rather than reflecting the VALUE in us from God himself, they validated the lies from distorted beliefs that seek to hijack our identities.
As we learn to BOND in SAFE COMMUNITY we begin to reflect to one another how God sees us. We can reflect value and belonging to each other. When God sees you, He sees you as beloved, cherished and delighted in. He likes YOU! Through Jesus’ eyes we are seen for who we really are, dearly loved children. It is not enough to rehearse the goodness of God or rehearse that God is a good Father by simply memorizing identity scriptures– we must SHOW each other and behave in a way that convinces our right brains that God is SAFE, and we are each BELOVED and KNOWN.
“Real care means the willingness to help each other in making our brokenness into the gateway to joy.”– Henri Nouwen
As you read these verses, think about how God demonstrates, BELONGING, KINDNESS, SAFETY, EMPATHY, ACTION of attunement and PROTECTION to His children…. How can we do this for each other in SAFE COMMUNITY?
(Attunement: our ability to be present to, and with, another’s expression of their experience. Allowing another to feel and be known)
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” – Romans 2:4
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. -Psalm 23:5
The poor will eat and be satisfied.” – Psalm 22:26
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8
Do not leave me now; don’t abandon me. O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me the Lord will hold me close. – Psalm 27:9-10
Wondrously show Your loving kindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them. – Psalm 17:7
Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. – Psalm 103:13
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.-Matthew 10:29-31
With weeping they will come, and by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn. –Jeremiah 31:9
“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You –Psalm 2:7
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings… -(Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge …” -Psa. 91:4
“[God] guarded [Jacob] as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.” -Deuteronomy 32:10-11
Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open,” says the Lord. – Hosea 13:8
As a mother comforts her child, so will I [God] comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. -Isa. 66:13
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I [God] will not forget you! -Isa. 49:15
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” -Psa. 17:8
“… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” -Psa. 57:1
Most of these verses come from times when God’s children were panicking in Fight, Flight or Freeze – or they were disobeying because they were overcome with seeking safety and control in order to escape their circumstances- they didn’t quite trust that God was good yet. Wow, that sounds like me.
Isn’t it interesting that while his children were completely PANICKED – He remained the same? It is just like God to be the same even when we are not. He can act like himself when the pressure hits, and we don’t believe Him. He’s okay with our struggle to believe that He is SAFE and HE IS TRUSTWORTHY. He will wait as long as it takes for you to let your guard down. As He did for his children wandering thru the desert, “He kept them safe so they were not afraid;” -Psalm 78:53
Sister, He won’t abandon you – your fight, flight or freeze moment, doesn’t scare Him. He will still be SAFE, KIND, NURTURING, and ATTUNED to YOU!
Today, remember God delights in YOU! When you experience that delight and sheer JOY – it is reflected thru you – into your community. You can reflect VALUE, and BELONGING – let someone know that they are beloved and KNOWN, for exactly who they are, in the exact moment they are in.
“The word has the power to create… Words can deepen our bonds with each other…Words of love and affirmation are like bread…”-Henri Nouwen
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” – Numbers 6:24 -26
My Dear Sister 
I love this, Rochelle. Thank you.
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