"Girl, you've been on heart. I'm praying for you. Would love to catch up . . . call if you are free . . . I'm missing you."

The text came after I laid part of my heart bare, sharing some hard circumstances causing pain and grief in my life. She invited me to connect, to find support in her friendship. I did call her back, realizing that through her, Jesus was extending His love.

I'm too often guilty of stubborn independence and self-reliant "I can do it all, myself" tendencies. It's certainly not a sin to be independent, but pride in "me" can twist my strengths into self-absorbed ugliness. It's when I live the lies that "I can do this on my own," or "I don't want to be vulnerable to ask for help," or "I can tough it out" that I stumble, fall, and even fail.

Lies keep me in fear and doubt. Fear of showing my withered heart, battered by life and shriveled by sin. Doubt that anyone can help. Doubt that Jesus answers my prayers.

Even so, Jesus never fails to call out to me. He waits for me, so He can dispel the lies and renew me. "Come up here . . . stretch out your hand" (Mark 3:1-6). I crave the wholeness and life He promises.

His offer requires that I reveal the brokenness and the pain. And it means I must confront the lies. To find restoration from Jesus, I need to stretch out my hand, revealing my battered heart so in need of His mercy.

"Come up here," Jesus beckons. He already knows my pain and has seen my sin. He knows what needs restoring, just as He knew about the man's withered hand. He wants me to accept His life.

Sister, sometimes I don't see or hear Jesus. But He is there. He reaches out me through friends. Sometimes He's urging me towards the confessional for forgiveness. Always, He waits for me to respond to His healing touch.

[bctt tweet="He knows what needs restoring. // Gina Fensterer" username="blessedisshe__"]

listen to today’s devotion

Jesus, I trust in You. Let me be restored in You.