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You are here: Home / Identity / Extravagant Love

Extravagant Love

I want to start this post with a disclosure – I’m not sharing this story to “brag” in any way shape or form, but I felt it was important to share about God’s extravagant love and why it’s important to receive gifts from Him when He gives them to us.

I am a total car person, I love cars, always have, in fact my first car was a 70’s Camaro. About 3+ years ago I was doing really well with my Ask Anna blog and I asked Matt if I could buy myself a car. I spent months researching and narrowing it down to what I wanted and eventually ended up buying myself exactly what I wanted. I had never done that before but while I had that car I worked hard to pay for it and I LOVED it.

Just over a year and a half of driving it, the Lord convicted me one night. We were wanting to do some remodeling on our home, it was going to be the last big project of a 3 year remodel, but when we looked at the numbers, we didn’t have what it was going to take to do the remodel.

But the Lord started talking to me about my car and showing me that my heart and my money were in the wrong place. I loved my car, which in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, but it was all about me – I picked out the car, I paid for the car, me, me me… I wasn’t trusting the Lord for any of it. That night I felt Him ask me to give up my car, and to get a cheaper car, so we’d have enough money to do the remodel on our house.

Because I have a desire to always be obedient to the Lord, I agreed and shortly after that night we traded in my car for something much more ordinary. The trade wasn’t easy, in fact I asked the salesman if I could drive it one last time and I drove around the block crying. Crying not only because I was giving away a car I loved, but crying because I knew God was asking something so much greater of my heart, He was asking me to trust Him and not do it all on my own.

My child, don’t underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when He has to correct you. For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of His faithful love. And when He draws you to Himself, it proves you are His delightful child.” Hebrews 12:5b-6

So for the last year and a half I’ve been driving this other car and taking very good care of it because even though I didn’t love it, I felt like the Lord was asking me to take care of what He’d given me. And even though I love cars, and thought some day I might have another one I loved, I put it out of my mind and chose to be thankful for what I had in the moment. I didn’t know the bigger picture, what God had in store, but I knew the attitude of my heart was what mattered the most to the Lord.

A few weeks ago Matt and I were talking about cars and he mentioned wanting to trade in his truck for a newer version. I was super bummed because I knew that meant I’d have to keep driving my car for a few more years. At first I fought back a little but then I checked my heart and the Lord convicted me again, it’s not always about me. After that I told Matt I thought he should upgrade his truck because he works hard to provide for our family and he blesses me with things all the time. And that was the end of it.

The next day he came home from work and said, “I think we should drive to Sacramento tomorrow to get you a new car.” What?! Hadn’t we just decided we were going to upgrade his truck? I was in total shock but agreed to do some research that night on a car we’d had our eyes on, and then we could drive to Sacramento the next day to test drive it (with no intention of actually buying it, in my mind).

Fast forward through the day, we test drove it, I loved it, we made the salesman an offer (he laughed), we told him to crunch some numbers, we were going to lunch. At lunch we got the call that they were able to come down much closer to our number so now it was decision time, and suddenly I freaked.

There were a million things going through my mind – “I don’t deserve this. I’m not worthy. I don’t want to make this about me, am I making it about me? What will my friends think, I’ve been driving the other car for less than 2 years and some of them have been driving theirs for years! I definitely don’t deserve this.”

After a few minutes of silence, Matt finally asked me what was going on in my mind. I spilled it all out and started to tear up because I was melting down. I felt so unworthy and so undeserving, yet here he was asking me if I wanted to receive this huge gift from him.

I’ll never forget one of the things he said that day because I know this is exactly the way the Lord feels about us. He said,

“I don’t just want to love you, I want to love you extravagantly.”

But the choice was mine. I could choose to receive his love and extravagance, or I could reject it because I was believing a lie that I’m unworthy and worried what others might think.

Through Matt’s love I felt the Lord telling me that’s exactly the way He felt. A few years earlier He had asked me to give something up, He had tested my heart to see if what was “mine” was more important, or if obedience was more important. And now He was using Matt to bless me “extravagantly” for my heart.

And it’s true, on my own I am unworthy, but because of His love and Christ’s sacrifice, He has made me worthy.

But how many of us spend our lives turning away from the extravagance of the Lord because we believe the enemy’s lie that “we are unworthy”?

Or on the other hand we view ourselves, and our accomplishments, as more than worthy so we come at it from the perspective that, “I deserve this because I’ve worked hard for it.”

In hindsight I’d have to confess my attitude was more of the latter, the first time I bought myself a car, but I’m thankful for the Lord’s patience with me and that He called me to give up that car so He could teach me what it’s like to allow Him to love me extravagantly.

I want to challenge you to examine your heart.

Do you feel unworthy, and if so, I want you to rebuke that lie because your Father wants to love you extravagantly but He can’t do that if you are believing a lie.

Or do you feel like you “deserve” something you’re not getting, and if you do, ask the Lord to help you examine your heart to see where that pride is coming from.

In the end, extravagance looks different for all of us, but I know the Lord loves you and wants to bless you with all the blessings of a Heavenly Father.

When you open your generous hand, it’s full of blessing, satisfying the longings of every living thing. You are fair and righteous in everything you do and your love is wrapped into all your works. You draw near to those who call out to you, listening ever closely, especially when their hearts are true. Every one of your godly lovers receives even more than what they ask for you. For you hear what their hearts really long for.” Psalm 145:16-19 (tPt)

The Lord wants to love you extravagantly but the choice is yours - you can choose to receive His extravagant love, or you can reject it because you're believing the lie that you're unworthy. Which will it be? | Faith-fullness.net

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Comments

  1. Linda Miller says

    August 7, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    Anna, This is something I will really have to pray about. What I want to pray about is for me to stop feeling I am unworthy. I think that stems from really believing God’s forgiveness is forever, never to remember it again. As you have said (and Nate) don’t believe the lie Satan tells me, believe the Word of God and what he says.
    Thanks for todays blog. Linda

  2. Linda Miller says

    August 9, 2017 at 6:19 am

    Anna, I read a daily devotion “Power Thoughts Devotional” and in todays reading I thought of your blog. In it she wrote,
    “When we need what the world offers in order to feel good about ourselves, God often withholds it. Once we no longer need those things, He can give them to us because He knows they will not control us. You may have friends, influence, positions, authority, acceptance, etc, but the key to keeping them is knowing beyond a shadow of doubt you don’t need them to be happy and fulfilled. Power Thought: My value come from who I am in Christ.”
    It just seemed to fit to what you wrote about and I wanted to share it with you. Linda

    • Anna says

      August 9, 2017 at 8:54 am

      Wow, that is SO good!! Thank you for sharing, Linda! 🙂

  3. Renee says

    August 13, 2017 at 4:40 am

    Wow. This story is amazing and I am so glad that you shared it!

Meet Anna

Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Faith|Fullness. The pages of this blog are filled with my journeys of faith and the adventures that saying "yes" to God have taken me on. Read More…

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Meet Anna

Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Faith|Fullness. The pages of this blog are filled with my journeys of faith and the adventures that saying "yes" to God have taken me on. Read More…

Find me on Instagram – @anna_m_moseley

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So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the Reno T&T gymnastics competition, resulted in 2 medals for Malea!! A bronze in Tumble Track and a silver in Double Mini. 
We also discovered Emilia has mad skills at Fuze ball, and she scooped Matt. 🤣 
We are proud parents, Malea now has 2 competitions under her belt, and 4 metals to show for it! 👏🏻 👊🏻👏🏻
#MaleaElizabeth
I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech this morning, broke my heart. I don't understand how we are not doing something to help these people out. I know if we had someone bombing our country, we would demand help from others, how can we just sit back and watch this happens. My heart is breaking for President Zelensky and the burden he's carrying right now. If you haven't watched the speech from this morning, please take the time to watch it, it's powerful, and heartbreaking. 

"Today my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life, if it means it cannot stop the deaths." - Zelensky
Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed back to Makena beach to take in our last waves, and Malea found some big ones. 
🌊
After a couple hours we said our goodbyes to the waves (and the chickens at the beach) and as we walked away I wondered if it would be another 20 years until I get to be here, and how much life has happened since I had been there last. It really is amazing how time flies. 
🌊
Next we went back into Kihei for lunch, some last minute shopping, and a must-stop, for me, Cones on Kihei, where my cousin worked when we lived here. The smell of the  freshly made cones took me right back, and they still had my favorite flavor!! It was fun to get to share this delicious treat with the girls. 
🌊
Then it was back to the condo to get cleaned up and ready to leave. I am so grateful for our time here, the hours at the beach, the beautiful meals, and watching how much the girls loved so many of the things I love about this island. I hope we get to come back but even if we don’t, my heart is full and I am thankful I got to return and relive/revisit so many things from, what feels like, a lifetime ago. Goodbye Maui! 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my f Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my favorites with a hike out in the lava fields, then snorkeling with Malea, and views of some bright yellow fish before we left. 
🐠
Then we headed into town and had the best sandwiches at @808deli. After lunch the girls were exhausted so we dropped them off and Matt and I walked the beach path in Wailea. We saw lots of whales jumping and even some turtles in the reef. We walked the beach and took in all the beautiful views of this wonderful island. 
🌊 
Next we picked up the girls and headed to Makena beach for some more beach time. The girls played in the waves until we had to pull them from them, so we could go get ready for our luau. 
🌊
We hit the road to Lahaina and headed to the @oldlahainaluau. This was such a good luau, ran like a well oiled machine with stellar service and beautiful dancing, sunsets and the best mocktails of the trip (the girls were in Heaven). 
🌊
Trying not to think about leaving tomorrow, but taking in all the stars and crashing waves, while I still can. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned 13 and we celebrated with a little party in the morning, then headed to the waves. 
🥳
We went back to the cove, where the girls surfed for hours and caught lots of waves. Then we had lunch at a beautiful, and delicious food truck park, set in a canopy of trees. 
🥳
Then it was back up the condo for some out of the sun rest time, and then, of course, we finished out the day at Makena beach, where the girls played in the waves until we had to leave to get ready for dinner. 
🥳
We celebrated in Lahaina with ribs, for my rib girl, and then of course, Hula Pie. 😋 
🥳
It was the best way to celebrate our baby girl turning 13, and a birthday I’m sure she will always remember. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite peo Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite people ever. Malea, since the day you were born you have been such a blessing. You love big, you love unconditionally, you live large and you are an over-comer. 
💜
I have learned so much from you, you make me a better person, and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you! Wuv you baby girl!!! 
#MaleaElizabeth
Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing the cove, where I learned to surf. There were tons of other people there taking lessons but the girls had a blast, and caught tons of waves. Malea is officially hooked on surfing. Yay!! 🏄‍♀️ 
🌊
After hours of surfing we headed back to the house for some down time, and then back to Makena Beach to close out the day playing in the waves, and drinking margaritas to celebrate margarita day. 
🌊
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and an incredible meal at Hotel Wailea then headed home and were surprised by fireworks! What a perfect way to spend Malea’s birthday eve. 
🌊
Matt and I decorated before bed and then I laid in bed thinking about where I was 12 years ago and how the best gift I’ve ever received came at 11:29pm the next evening. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our frie Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our friend’s baptism, at the beach, which was followed by celebration, even by the whales. 
🌊
After the baptisms we picked up surfboards and headed to the waves. It was low tide, so the waves were small, but the girls had a blast and we even got to see more whales.
🌊
Then we headed back to Makena Beach, for some more wave time and found so many chickens! 🐓 8 roosters to be exact ( Malea counted them). 
🌊
Next headed home, and enjoyed wine on the patio, which has been Matt and my afternoon tradition, since we got here. 
🌊
After getting ready for dinner, we did something we used to do, almost every night when we lived here, and watched the sunset from the rock wall, in Kihei across from where we lived. It was so fun getting to experience the magic of the sun setting over the Pacific coast, with my family. 
🌊
After dinner we met up with our friends to talk about the baptism and catch up since we haven’t hung out in awhile. We ended up back at our place, talking late into the night. I am so grateful for how much the Lord has done in all of our lives since we met a few years ago. 
🌊
Tomorrow more surfing and more sun. Maui perfection. 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmosele Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmoseley15, and lots of beautiful views. 
🌊
It was too windy to surf today so instead we headed to Lahaina for lunch (a very messy lunch for my little rib lover) and some shopping.  We scouted out beaches on the way home, and stopped for some fresh fruit at the roadside stand. 
🌊 
Everyone was exhausted but we needed some beach time so we finished up the day with the waves at Wailea beach and another beautiful sunset. 
🌊
Excited because tomorrow we finally surf! 🏄‍♀️ 
#MaleaElizabeth @emilia_boehmer
Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to spend hours, and days here, so it was a dream come true to get to spend hours in the waves and on the beach with Matt and Malea yesterday. It’s as beautiful as I remember it and I was so thankful to be back. 
🌊
After hours of beach time it was a food truck lunch, and time to head into Kihei, my old stomping grounds. We took the girls to the open market where they shopped and shopped, then we ended with shaved ice. 
🌊
The day ended with another beautiful sunset and dinner at MonkeyPod Kitchen, with the best Mai Tais we’ve had and Malea trying to convince Emilia to let her teach her how to cube. 🤣
🌊
Tomorrow we surf. 🤗 🏄‍♀️ 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed when I finally got to sit down in my plane seat, and a huge sigh of relief that we were finally on our way. 
🌊 
It has been 19 years since I’ve been to Maui and I expected so many changes, which some of it has, but so much is also the same, including places we worked and a few favorite spots. 
🌊
But the best part was getting to be here with my family—watch the girls disappear to find the pool, and the beach, and the smiles on their faces as the realization sunk in that we were actually here!! 
🌊
Today I am thank for @mmoseley15 bringing me back here, beautiful sunsets, the Maui air, and upcoming beach time with my family! 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
Not exactly how I planned to spend my day. 😵‍ Not exactly how I planned to spend my day. 😵‍💫 Thankful for the team at Prestige for sewing the top of my thumb back on. Luckily none of it ended up in the soup. 😬🤣
Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these bea Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these beautiful people, was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. The neighbors who showed up with brownies the first time we met them, who became friends, who quickly turned into family—secondary parents to Matt and I,  and grandparents to Malea. 
💛
I have grieved and cried whenever I think about them leaving, for weeks, because I don’t know what it will be like without them. They have always been there for us, supported us, asked us how we are doing, even on our darkest days, and they have loved us and cheered us on, encouraged us to keep going because it will all be worth it in the end. 
💛
I will never hear the end of how terrible it was we decided to move to Palo Cedro and “abandon them”, but that didn’t discourage them from showing up with homemade birthday goodies and driving “all the way to the other side of the river” to stop by and see what we’ve been up to, and encourage us with how well we are living out our dream here on our farmstead. 
💛
I am honored they chose to spend their last night with us (even though technically we were 2nd choice 😉) but it was exactly what I needed. Bev, of course brought gifts that spoke to our hearts, and we reminisced, laughed and I think everyone cried at some point. 
💛
Dear friends I am excited for your new adventure, I can’t wait to hear where we need to go next, I can’t wait to “visit” Europe through your pictures, but please don’t forget to come home, you will be missed!!! 💛💛💛
We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing house church showed up and helped us run all the electrical in the back garage—can lights, outlets, fans, exterior lights, etc! We finished so quickly that one couple decided to stay and help us frame out the storage room. 👏🏻
Today Matt and I added the door and a few other things, so now the room is ready for sheetrock! 👊🏻 A weekend of hard work and it ended with a beautiful sunset. Game room should be done in the next couple of months. 🙌🏻
#weekendwarriors #diy
Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrat Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrate Matt’s birthday. 
I am thankful for the beautiful place we live, friends who are as ridiculous as we are, amazing food, hilarious games, and most importantly my husband—who is definitely with celebrating. 
@mmoseley15 @kah_rhis_10
So this happened. 🏦 I still can’t even beli So this happened. 
🏦 
I still can’t even believe it. I am so thankful to finally be able to talk about this with people, because I am so proud of Matt! 
🏦 
When I first met Matt he told me his dream was to be the president of a bank someday, and here we are, in 6 months he will be. I am so proud of how hard he has worked to get to this place, never taking the easy way, always taking the strategic path, even if it meant taking less pay, a lower title, or doing the work of multiple people to make sure something got done well. 
🏦 
This is a dream come true, a promise of the Lord fulfilled, and I can’t wait to see what this next season holds for us. 
Congratulations Matt, you deserve this, and thank you Jeff, for paving the way, and being such an incredible boss, leader, and mentor for Matt. 
#FaithandFullness #faithfulness
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