This word is submitted by Bill Hardaway [WKent1954@aol.com]

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                      Draw Closer To Me

Since I have seen the end from the beginning, why do you not trust that
I have your best interest at heart? Just because you do not feel My 
presence does not mean that I am not constantly watching over you. I 
know how you feel; I know your needs before you ask them.

Try thinking of Me as your friend, for I am the type of friend who you 
can tell your innermost secrets to. You do not need to ask Me over and
over for the things you desire--simply trust Me to bring the desires 
of your heart to pass. I desire a personal relationship with you. I 
want to be your best friend, not just someone you come to when you 
need things. So draw closer to Me, and watch as the desires of your 
heart come to pass. I want to be the first One you come to in times 
of trouble, not a Person of last resort. 

I know that you can not understand My great love that I have for you. 
My love for you is without measure or limits. I ache for each of My
children to love Me. To understand this, pretend you have a child that
does not desire to spend time with you, who only comes when he needs to 
ask for something. My heart aches for your fellowship, just like that
parent aches to spend time with his child.

I desire to hear from you. I desire to meet your needs. But most of 
all, I desire for you to get to know Me. Then you would understand that 
you need not be troubled for anything. 

Yes, I am your loving Father and I want My children to feel safe and 
secure in My care. I want you to give Me all your burdens as completely
as if you just dumped them over a wall; so that they are in My hands 
and can not come back to you. Your burden bin will be empty at all times,
if you will only give everything to Me. Yes, I will carry them for you.
I will meet all your needs. My yoke is light, so stop trying to carry 
what I desire to take from you. When you carry your own worries and 
burdens, this separate you from Me, for they become a great distraction
to you.  I want to free you from that, so we can spend more time together.
I so long to spend time with you. 

Give Me everything that troubles you. Do so on a daily basis, and 
consider them completely gone. The devil would use the cares of this
world to keep your eyes on yourself, so you do not come to Me freely 
as I would like you to. Don't allow him to distract you from My love
with these things--give them to Me.

I want you to understand how important you are to Me. I will never fail
you. My timing will always be perfect. So give Me your cares and burdens,
and draw closer to Me.