Jesus tilts his head. "Think about when you nursed your last baby. Do you remember how you cradled him in your arms and he nuzzled to your breast? You nourished him, body and soul. Even as he was fed, he never took his eyes off of you. He gazed at you with complete satisfaction, trust, and peace. Rest in me as your baby rested in you. I will nourish you. I will lead and comfort you."

Your eyes are glued to the Master, hungry to believe all He is saying, but there is hesitancy, a fear you don't deserve to rest.

"My daughter, did your baby do anything to earn your love?"

You shake your head. "No. I loved him more as I served him, even though he could do nothing to help me."

"In the same way, I don't expect you to earn My love or the right to rest. I simply come and say, 'Are you tired? Let me help you. Are you burdened? Let me carry it. Do you feel guilty or ashamed? Let Me take that and replace it with forgiveness and acceptance.'"

Little tears gather in your eyes as you listen to Him. It's so much to absorb and you haven't even spelled out the whole word. You hesitate. The Lord reaches in the box and pulls out the next letter, "A." With trembling fingers you reach for it, running your thumb down it's long, sleek sides.

"It's time for you to accept my unconditional love," He says. " So often I stand before you with my arms open wide, longing to enfold you in them, but you duck your head and walk away. You let shame, guilt, or feelings of inadequacy keep you from Me. I have loved you with an everlasting love. ² Nothing you've ever done has made me regret that great love and nothing can take it away.

"When I died on Calvary, I made it possible for us to be in close relationship. I washed your every misstep away in the river of my blood. There is nothing to separate us. Yet sometimes you are so determined to make yourself worthy that you refuse my free, unconditional love." ³

You're weeping freely now. He's right. The Christian life is about Jesus and the righteousness He gives. You keep making it about your performance, causing both your pride and your guilt to keep you from His arms. "I'm sorry." You whisper.

Jesus puts an arm around you. "Take the next letter."

You reach into the box and hand Him the "C." He lays it across your heart. "C is for Christ in you, dearest. I am your hope of glory. You try so hard to be good. Trust Me and let Me make you good. The good work I've begun in you will be completed. Stop striving. You are My masterpiece. Will I not finish it?" ⁴

The Lord reaches into the box for the last letter. You still weep silently, leaning your head against His shoulder. 

"E is for Empowered. I am the One who empowers you to be all I've created you to be. Spiritual maturity isn't chasing after good works or achieving your dreams. It isn't being the perfect mother, wife, or daughter. It is knowing Me and letting your life flow from our relationship.

"Let me empower you, dear one. I am the one who gives you the grace to accomplish all I ask of you." ⁵

You nod. He hugs you and then kisses your cheek. As He walks away you finger each letter, His words echoing in your soul. You place the letters back into the box, one by one:

G-Guilty no more
R-Rest in Christ
A-Accept His unconditional love
C-Christ, my hope of glory
E-Empowered by His Spirit

You linger with the open box in your lap, breathing in the scent of grace. There could be no greater gift.

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A home schooling mother of four, Paula Moldenhauer is passionate about God's grace and intimacy with Jesus. Her website offers home schooling hints, book reviews, and a free weekly devotional, Soul Scents. Subscribe to Soul Scents at www.soulscents.us. You can contact Paula at Paula@soulscents.us.

1 Matthew 11:28 (AMP)
2 Jeremiah 31:3
3 Ephesians 2:13
4 Philippians 1:6 & Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
5 Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:17