I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. // Ezekiel 37:14
Once upon a time, God sent me a dress.
My extended family was preparing to take some important photos. The photos were urgent and scheduled last-minute. The color scheme was set. And my wardrobe was lacking. These pictures are ones my family would treasure forever, so I searched for "navy blue dresses" online and finally found one that could arrive in time. But our budget wouldn't allow for it.
My soul already plunged in a deep darkness, I went to bed that night crying to the Lord. These pictures were important to someone I loved, and I felt gutted that I couldn't provide the ideal. I hadn't really spoken with the Lord in a while, yet this silly need broke me open. A dress felt like a ridiculous thing to be upset about, which is why I didn't express my sadness to anyone but Him.
The next evening, my best friend unexpectedly presented me with a small bag. "I was cleaning out my closet," she chirped, "and thought these would look cute on you!"
Upon my inspection, the small bag held two pieces of clothing. One was a navy blue dress.
I smiled, immediately understanding Who this dress was truly from.
Does God need to prove His love for us in these small ways? No. Does He anyway? Yes.
In today's First Reading, the Lord promised to settle His people in a good land so that they would know His love (Isaiah 43:16-21). In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus’ abundant gift of mercy and compassion to the adulterous woman. Saint Paul reminds us of the gift of faith in Jesus. The Lord remains a thoughtful and intentional God. He knows our hearts and He knows when we most need His lavish and specific love.
What longings are pressed into your heart right now? Have you told the Lord about them? How is He providing what you need in this season—even in the "silly" ways?
The Lord remains a thoughtful and intentional God. // Olivia SpearsClick to tweet
Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She curates relevant and inspiring content for Catholic women as Blog Manager. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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