This word is submitted by Barbara Young [neybay334@yahoo.com]

------


                 I Crave Your Presence


My child, I know you by name. You are Mine and I am yours, and I give
you My full attention as you come before Me in the quiet of the night. 
I want you to know that I long to hear what is on your heart. Your 
words are valuable to Me, and so I sit here and I wait, listening for 
the sound of your voice. My child, I've just got to tell you this! 
Your words refresh My heart.

You make Me proud that I am your Father, for you have learned the true 
meaning of life, and it is being in fellowship with Me.

You have looked, and you have seen the result of those who have not 
allowed Me full access to the center of their heart. You have grieved 
over them and you have cried over them, and I want you to know I have 
grieved and I have cried, even more. 

I had much to share with them; much to offer them, but their hearts 
were not ready to let go of the pleasures of the self life. And while 
I brought them out of the land of bondage, they were not willing to go 
with Me to all the places their new freedom afforded them, to places
that I had prepared for them before the foundation of the world. But 
they made their choice. They put their foot down and drew a line and 
said, "I will go no farther." While it causes Me much sadness, child, 
you are My consolation. 

You have said, "I'll go all the way, Lord. I'll go where you want Me 
to go, I'll do what You want me to do, and I'll say what you want Me 
to say." Now I want you to know, child, I can do much with such a heart 
as yours. I will even share you with the world because I trust your 
heart. You have proven your allegiance to Me by your faithfulness and 
by your total heart surrender.

At times, you've left all that is familiar and comfortable because My 
Spirit asked you to go. You've been willing to walk down unfamiliar 
roads, and you've even been one that has paved the way for others. 
You've gone ahead, and you've whacked down tall weeds to make it easier 
for those who follow in your footsteps. 

Know, child, there are others who follow you and will follow you, for I
have made you to be one worth following. I have given you integrity of 
heart and you are well prepared to lead others into the inner chambers 
of My presence.

Child, while many say it is all about Me, I want you to know that it 
is all about Me and you in relationship together. It's true, I could 
bring My kingdom to earth without you, for I am God and there is none 
like Me. But that has not been My plan from the beginning. My plan has 
always included you. My plan has been to be made famous and glorious 
in the earth through the beauty I've placed in ones like you.

So, child, I thank you for coming here to meet with me. I thank you
for desiring to fellowship with Me. I crave your presence just as you 
crave Mine, and we are both enriched because of this time together.