“Love me!” is her silent plea;

She says it when she bats her eyes;

She says it when she misbehaves;

She says it even when she lies.

She says it in a thousand ways –

A rolling of the eyes, perhaps;

Or, disregarding what you say,

In church she doesn’t listen, but naps.

All these and more are simply this:

Her silent call, her deepest need,

A longing to see Christ in you –

“Please, show God’s love to even me.”

Deaning is a unique opportunity for ministry. I'm thrilled as I watch "my" girls catch the vision of God's plan for their lives. And when one makes the choice to give herself to her Creator, to surrender her will to His, my cup of joy overflows! On the flip side, when one of "my" girls gives in to the tempter's whispers, my heart breaks. The past several weeks have seen both an overflowing cup and a broken heart. 

But I know that I do not bear these dear girls on my heart alone. My High Priest carries them -- and me -- on His heart and in His hands. I can see Him there now, standing before the Father's throne, asking for reinforcements of angels to be sent to aid one of my girls as she struggles against the foe, or rejoicing to tell our Father of another soul won. Friend, can you see Him, too? He's pleading on your behalf, as well, for He carries you on His heart, too. "What wondrous love is this, O my soul?"