kept

Sometimes God puts a hope in our hearts that seems so contrary to that which is in the world. Sometimes he brings a deluge of love and floods it, cleansing and purging and sweeping away all the junk while leaving it entirely larger than it was before. Sometimes He takes all the messy drawers of life and dumps them out before us; holds each article up against the light and truth of who He is and you make decisions, together, as to what to keep and what to get rid of. Sometimes He asks you to do the impossible, to love well beyond hurt. At times He comes like a fire, burning off all that will not do and brings a perfect shine to His gold inside of you. Sometimes He comes as a salve, healing, protecting, and covering all the exposed places. Sometimes He comes as the friend who is closer than a brother, as the Word made flesh and you dwell in the richness and the power of His words to you. Other times He comes as your past, present, and future, as the Omniscient One who has known you all along and will always know you. Sometimes He comes as Father, affirming and approving and speaking identity. He also comes as a mother, His tender Spirit reaching to every weak place with gentleness foreign to human hands. He comes again and again, as all that I need, will ever need, have ever needed.