"I love you more..."

We say "I Love You" often at our house. It is one of those things that you can never say enough! It is something that comes naturally to say to my sons, and especially to Clark. Life gets in the way, and we get busy. A distance can grow alarmingly fast in a home, but those three small words pull it back together again.

When Riley was a toddler he LOVED chocolate pudding. I was tucking him in one night, and he sleepily mumbled, "Mama, I love you more than chocolate pudding." That is one of my very favorite of all my motherhood moments. We have used that phrase a million times since then. I love you more than ice cream...I love you more than Krispy Kreme donuts...I love you more than Dollywood...I love you more than football...the boys and I try to top one another in our "I love you more than..." phrases. Landry has added a little something extra. When he thinks of a really good one he ends it with, "Now that's a lotta love!"

Clark and I have started the Daniel Fast. It is a 21 day fast that several members of our church are participating in. Since January 4th, we have given up many pleasurable delectables. We have eaten fruits and vegetables, nuts, and water. As Bro. Carpenter put it - if it grows out of the ground- we are eating it! I will admit that it has been incredibly difficult at times...I am really missing my bread, especially my sweets, and eating out. It has been very difficult to spend so much time preparing each meal, especially on the busier than busy days. But, I am finding that my time with the Lord is growing sweeter and sweeter. He is renewing burdens and opening my eyes to new things. I am wholeheartedly telling him that I love Him more...more than sugar, more than caffeine, more than chocolate, more than the convenience of easily prepared meals. Lord, I love you more. It may sound simple, but it is amazing how much closer you feel to the Him when you get even the little things out of the way.

There was once a young ruler that asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Sadly, the rich young ruler was unable to say, "Lord, I love you more." How often am I like him? Am I able to say I love YOU more than my "me" time, more than television, more than facebook, more than the simple cares of this life? I pray through these days of fasting that my relationship with him is strengthened to the point that I am able to lay aside ANYTHING that might come my way that could hinder my walk with Him.

"Lord, draw me closer to you!" For He's the One who proved that He loved me more...loved me more than life.