Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you! I want to embrace you, for now you’ve become my power! You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause. All I need to do is to call to you, singing to you, the praiseworthy God. 
When I do, I’m safe and sound in you.~ Psalm 18:1-3

To the one who has always known me and always loved me.

When I was ten, lying in my bed at night, when the light was out and fear would come, you were there. You led me to your word that brought peace to my mind so that I could sleep without fear. I would read Psalm 3:5 over myself and use your word as my resting place and my pillow… literally. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for The Lord was watching over me. Though the enemy fed me lies that sounded true, your words of life brought freedom to my heart that proved much truer. When no one else was around, you were there.

You have always been there.

When I was thirteen and wanted to be in a dance crew that I was not prepared for, you gave me favor and placed me in front of the head choreographer. You gave her eyes to see things in me that I couldn’t see. You gave me strength, you gave me determination and drive, and you gave me the talent and ability. You qualified me for something that I was extremely unqualified for. You placed your favor upon me. You made a place for me.

You have always been there. You have always made a place for me.

When I was fifteen and lost my two best friends, you understood me and protected my heart. Though it was painful and confusing, it was then that I knew you would always be my truest and closest friend. When I was misunderstood, you came to my rescue as my defender. When I was lonely, you showed me your consistent presence. Even when I made mistakes and fell short of being a good friend, you still called me friend. You stood by my side. You defended me. You loved me. You are my best friend and have always called me friend.

You have always been there. You have always made a place for me. You have always called me friend.

When I was eighteen with a bazillion dreams in my heart and zero desire to go to college, you gave me direction. Just one word from you and I found peace and total confidence in the road ahead. Not because I suddenly knew what my next day, let alone year, would look like, but because I knew your character. I trusted your word to guide my steps just as it guided and calmed my fears when I was a child. Your words came to me with a history of faithfulness, which told me you would provide for me. I knew you would lead me every day forward, because your word was true. You have always led me by the peace of your word.

You have always led me. You have always been there. You have always made a place for me. You have always called me friend. You have always led me.

When I was twenty-two and moved away from my family to a new city, you knew what you had planned for me. I had NO IDEA! I knew you were there and I knew you had already made a place for me, so I had to go. I didn’t want to miss something you were leading me to because you have always blown me away. In fact, those were your words to me before I left home. You said “I’m going to blow you away. You’ll be amazed, not just today but every day.” When life began to change after I moved and everything that could be shaken was shaken, you were my peace beyond my understanding. You sent people to remind me of what you had already said just in case I was tempted to forget. “He said He wants you to know He’s about to blow you away and you’re going be amazed,” they would say. Over and over again you came after me. Over and over again, you met me right where I was, at just the right time, to show me how you love me. You have always come after me.

You have always been there. You have always made a place for me. You have always called me friend. You have always led me. You have always come after me.

I’m twenty-four now. When I look at my life, I don’t see the times I felt scared, confused, lonely, or broken because when you gave me new life, you gave me new eyes. Eyes that see your heart and your goodness. I’m in awe of the power you’ve given me through your life, your death, and your rising again. Through you, I have been given dominion over all things. The power to tell sickness to leave and see it go before my eyes. The power to call relationships healed and see them redeemed and restored, even better than before, is there for me to rest in. The power and the strength to walk confidently knowing that You will take care of me and those that I love. Through you, I have a destiny and I can see that your plan for my life has always been perfect.

For you have always been there. You have always made a place for me. You have always called me friend. You have always led me. You have always come after me.

And you, Jesus, have always loved me more than I will ever deserve to be loved.