“God’s presence flowed over me like liquid love.”[1]
Isn’t that delightful imagery?
Perhaps you’ve experienced God’s presence as liquid love—deep-down warmth drenching the soul through a God-enhanced moment, overflowing joy as he lavished favor upon you.
Looking back on 2021, I can identify such glorious moments and have included a few of them below. Perhaps they’ll trigger memories of your own, when you experienced liquid love from God’s river of delights.
First, the highlight of 2021: our youngest two granddaughters invited Jesus into their lives—one in August, one in December. Nothing warms the heart more than seeing loved ones take this all-important step of faith!
Prior to Covid vaccines, a friend arranged a Zoom call for three of us to enjoy a cup of coffee together—virtually. The delightful gab fest, mutual encouragement and prayer for one another did indeed generate the warm flow of God’s liquid love.
A week of balmy weather in April allowed us to bask in sunshine-amidst-bird-song much earlier in the year than usual.
Inspiration for blog posts often comes at unexpected times. One morning while getting ready for a women’s Zoom Bible study, an idea suddenly occurred to me. I smiled at the pleasure of it, knowing exactly where the notion came from!
After thirteen months of separation, we reveled in joining our son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters for dinner in their home. The best moment: reaching the third floor playroom, seeing the girls’ faces light up as they shouted, “Nana!” and tangling together in a glorious hug.
Early May Steve and I were able to return to church. Though masks hid smiles and hugs were verboten (at first), we celebrated the togetherness of church family and the joys of in-person, corporate worship.
Mid-spring we watched four fox kits cavorting in the grass—a number of times. Their jumping, wrestling, and teasing nips at one another made us laugh. Better yet, such close encounters with God’s creatures feel like personal love-gifts from him. Indeed, “God’s love notes are stashed everywhere.”[2] They even appear in our own backyard.
Speaking of love-gifts, one lies upon our living room floor—a new rug. Though our wish-list was quite specific, and options studied online weren’t measuring up, the perfect choice presented itself in the first store we visited. (The discovery of a rug that appealed to both of us was a bit of miracle in itself!)
A Ruegg family reunion (13 of us) in a large, rustic cabin took place in August. What a glorious time of hiking, games, reading, long conversations, superb meals (planned and prepared by our older son and daughter-in-law), and even a song-fest around the fire pit one evening—all enjoyed in perfect weather no less.
Another cabin-adventure—this time with old friends–occurred in October. The mountain view out the back windows took our breath away; the laughter, banter, and coziness of our relationship produced a considerable uptick of endorphins.
Granted, people take pleasure in nature, family, friends, and delightful experiences all the time—without God. But for believers in Christ, the pleasure of each gift is richly augmented because God is in it with us.
Another gift? The overflow of liquid love often becomes blissful tears.
Now it’s your turn. In the past year, how did God’s love flow over you like liquid love? Share your experience in the comment section below!
[1] Pat Chen, Intimacy with the Beloved, quoted by Linda Dillow in Satisfy Your Thirsty Soul, 82.
[2] Sara Hagerty, Unseen, 106.
Photo credits: http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.flickr.com; Nancy Ruegg (2); http://www.flickr.com; Steve Ruegg; http://www.flickr.com.
From the Inside Out 
Oh Nancy, so much to rejoice in here! So glad you and Steve are able and well enough to travel and enjoy being with family and church friends once again. I have to say, the sight of young fox kits cavorting out in the yard made me smile the most.
As it happens, we have had to forego church again starting in early fall as Covid numbers started to rise again. You might remember Steve had a liver transplant in December of 2018 and his anti-rejection meds interfere with his immune system. But, we still have plenty to be grateful for! God has been VERY good to us!
Lovely post and photos, Nancy. Happy New Year to you! 🤍 PS: Thank you for your support and encouragement this past year!
Thank you, Stacy. As for your P.S: You are more than welcome!
Liquid love and love notes – both beautiful ways to look at the goodness of God! Even in the midst of difficulties, He is still blessing us and caring for us. 🙌♥️🙏
AMEN, Bridget! So glad you found beauty here!
Such a wonderful list! I will need some time to think through the year. It has been challenging for us but God has been faithful and given us strength and unexpected blessings at just the right times. Thank you Nancy.
Hallelujah for God’s faithfulness, his strength, and those unexpected blessings that encourage our spirits. I pray 2022 will NOT be so challenging for you, Pastor Pete, that you’ll be able to lie down in green pastures for awhile!
What I love about your list, Nancy, is how it represents a year of positive and fulfilling experiences. If a reader didn’t know you were referring to 2021 he or she would say, “I’ll take it!” I pray more people seek this approach to life as the pandemic continues. Dwell on the abundance God (still) offers instead of what he appears to have taken away. We just have to look a little closer to see it.
AMEN, Dave! We do ourselves no favors–attitudinally, mentally, spiritually, even physically–by dwelling on the negative! The joy of the Lord contributes to our strength in ALL those areas.
Great is our God, He gives so much to us and He gives it so freely
AMEN to that, Brenda. God IS good ALL the time, just like the old Don Moen song says!
I love that song
Great imagery and stories Nancy.
Thank you, Gary. So glad you enjoyed the post; am praising God here for his inspiration!
I love this image of God’s liquid love pouring over us. I can imagine Him leaning over us, pouring out His love on us, and then watching in delight as we joyfully react. You have encouraged me to watch for those precious God moments in my daily life. Many of mine revolve around times when Aaron is full of joy, like he was in the aquarium this past May in Galveston. Thank you, Nancy! Blessings in this new year for you and your family.
Oh yes, Patty, that WAS a moment of liquid love pouring over you! Praise God for the gift of memory that allows us to smile again and again over such delights.
Yes indeed, Nancy! ❤️
Liquid love is a delightful image. Love this.
Thank you, Jean!
I so enjoyed reading about the highlights of your year, Nancy. As for me, I remember my Dad telling me many times that if you have your health you have everything. (I, of course, realize that if one has the Lord one has everything; but I got what he was saying!) I’m so very thankful to the Lord that Mom and I have had a healthy and happy year, and many answers to our prayers.
Your dad was right: a foundation of strength and health certainly enhances the joys of life! With you I praise God for a healthy and happy 2021, including many answers to prayers here too.
My heart feels so warmed reading about your reunion with your two granddaughters after 13 months! What a great recap of your year. Sometimes I remember the the negative things the most, but there were SO many wonderful gifts from God in 2021 as well, and I want to keep those at the forefront of my mind.
Me thinks you may be too hard on yourself, Lisa! That lovely smile in your pic looks to be the genuine article of a joyful person!
Oh how glorious to be reunited with your family, enjoy time with friends, and to have your youngest granddaughters accept Jesus in their hearts. What a wonderful challenge. How delightful it was to reflect back on 2021 and think on all the blessings. 2021 brought my siblings, our spouses, and children together to celebrate the 80th birthdays of both our parents. Two glorious weeks were spent with family on a fishing trip to the mountains. We welcomed another Lab puppy into our home. So many blessings and truly the liquid love of the Lord.
Two weeks with family in the mountains sounds glorious, Beth! Like us, you no doubt made memories you’ll never forget. I praise God for that too–our ability to remember–although I do write down some of our blessings just in case!!
What a blessed year. Sometimes it really does us a lot of good to go back and count them!!
Amen, Sheila. Counting blessings is a short-cut to joy!