Because He Knows Us
The small crate on the kitchen island said it all.
On a busy morning when we were on separate schedules and taking separate cars, he nonchalantly mentioned as he left our bedroom, “Hey, there’s something for you in the kitchen.” Then he was out the door and down the road.
When my efforts at primping and prepping yielded a look as good as it was going to get, I made my way to the kitchen for one last refill of coffee. When I spied the “something” my sweetheart had left for me, I laughed out loud! The crate on the island was filled with a couple of my favorite things.
Raspberry dark chocolate squares and Diet Cokes may not have been on your Mother’s Day bingo card, but they were certainly on mine!
Once again, the fella who knows me better than anyone, ever, came through with a sweet surprise. He said, “I love you” with a crate full of sugar and carbonation, and I was there for it! (I think I’m gonna have to keep that guy. 😉)
On the regular, this man has blessed me with thoughtful gifts, selfless gestures, encouraging words, gentle but much-needed kicks in the pants, words of wisdom that were true but hard to hear, interventions to keep me from causing harm to myself and to others and a whole lot more than I have time to list here.
How has he managed to be such a wise, trusted partner in my life? How has his timing managed to be so perfect? How have his words managed to speak spot-on to my heart in every single situation?
Because he knows me. Through almost 43 years of marriage, we’ve studied each other, adapted through various life stages and circumstances, and grown in our knowledge and trust in God.
Together, we’ve stood on mountaintops and breathed air so fresh, it was almost heaven. We’ve been together when our babies were born and welcomed our grandchildren into this crazy world – all miracles to us! We’ve had some pretty good times – times so wonderful and magical, we dared not hope to ever have them again!
We’ve also held hands so tight, we almost broke bones as we faced deep fears. We’ve been knit together by deep grief that punched us in the gut and knocked the breath out of us. We’ve stormed the gates of heaven with crazy, faith-filled prayers when we felt lost, lonely, and hopeless.
This fella of mine has been through it all with me. Good, bad – you name it, he knows it. And still he loves me. In his very human way, he provides a shadow of God’s love for and knowledge of me.
God didn’t need to walk with me for decades before figuring me out. He knew me before I was even formed in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-16)
God didn’t have to wonder what I would be passionate about in life. He’s the One Who made good works for my hands to do before the beginning of time. (Ephesians 2:10)
God didn’t have to worry about the dangers or struggles I would encounter. He went before me to clear my path and make a way for me. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
God didn’t have to fret over whether I would have all I needed. He cares for the lilies and the birds. He provides for me. (Matthew 6:26)
God didn’t have to dig to figure out my deepest longings and desires. He planted in me a hunger and a thirst that only He can satisfy. (Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 5:6)
In short, before time began, God knew me. He knows you, too – what makes you tick, what you love, where you’re headed, what you need, and what your soul longs for.
He knows because He made you. He cares because He loves you. He proved Himself worthy of your returned affections with the truth of His gospel.
His Son Jesus stepped from heaven, walked through life as a man unmarred by even a hint of wrongdoing, surrendered Himself for execution as a perfect payment to purchase us from slavery to the darkness, and burst from a well-secured tomb in victory over death.
On your very best, brightest days, God knew you. On your very worst, pitch-black days, He knew you. And on all of those days, He chose to love you.
No one will ever know you more intimately, love you more sacrificially or welcome you more joyfully than the God Who created you.
Chocolate and soda are sweet gifts, but they don’t even scratch the surface of what God has in store for you – the one He knows and cherishes.
Don’t hide. Don’t run away. Just surrender to the greatest Love you’ll ever know.
“…As it is written, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him’...” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
