For The Struggling Warrior...

Welcome to my heart, Oh daughter of the King. 
Take off your heavy armor and sit a while. 
Come, lay your weary head on my chest and rest with me. Unbandage all your wounds and let me see your scars. Tell me of your burdened soul; reveal all the pieces of your aching heart. Whisper to me your hopes and dreams. Share of your fears and failures. Hide not one part of yourself from my view - I want to see it all. 
Let me wipe your tears. And when your gaze catches the scars in my hands, let me gently remind you they're there:
Because I love you. 
From the beginning of time, I knew these moments would come. I am aware your journey is long and heavy. See my scars? I'm no stranger to pain. I have journeyed through betrayal and abandonment. I, too was misunderstood. Lonely and rejected. I know what it's like to wish there was another way. 

"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Luke 22:42)

But I also know my Father -  I know his way is perfect and unflawed. His love is pure, untainted and selfless. And so, I willfully subjected myself and endured the anguish...for you. For the very difficult thing you're walking through. So that you would be able to partake not only of my suffering, but also of my hope and of my peace that this moment in time, this ache that you're feeling - it's not the end. There is so much more to come. The pain that you feel now can't compare to the joy that lays ahead. 

"For I consider that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us!" (Romans 8:18)

Your lips speak of your love for me; now is the time to put that love to the test. Do you trust me? Then hold on tight. My plans for you are not yet complete. What you see in front of you is not all there is. 

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Dear daughter, lift up your head. Your journey is not over. There is much more that I need to show you. There are far more beautiful things ahead. Your wounds, wear them as a memorial. Allow them to penetrate your heart and cultivate compassion and healing for those you will journey with. Your pain...it holds indescribable power to bring forth life. Remember my scars? The darkness of my death enveloped the heavenlies, but within three short days, absolute joy burst forth from the tomb. Your tears are but for a season. Your morning is coming.  

"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) 

I see you. 
I know you.
I love you. 
Precisely where you are. And who you are. There's not one moment in your life that I haven't anticipated, not one tear that I haven't already carefully calculated. I've seen every mountain you and I will conquer, every valley I will carry your weary soul through. And though you may have seasons of doubt, I will never give up on you, for you are my beloved child. I created you with passion, and for a purpose.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Pick up you sword, beautiful Warrior. Put on your armor with honor. 
We have much work to do, you and I.