A little over a year ago, our little family moved from the city we love….New York City….ahhhhh. You would be remiss to find anywhere else on the planet like my beloved city! From the time my immigrant family landed at the JFK airport in Queens in 1978, I was completely fascinated with the city and have always held it close to my heart.

Several years later I co-founded a ministry in NYC/NJ and then later married and was living in Murray Hill, on 34th & 1st. I thrived as a New Yorker and loved most everything about it. From meeting with friends at Grand Central and blessing random strangers with words of encouragement…to walking on a Sunday afternoon with my hubby, and catching a movie at Kips Bay and brunch at Cinema Cafe…to chatting it up with our doorman, Memo and then going across the street to Lucky’s Diner to eat some delicious soup. (Yes, I love food…lol!!) Or heading to Madison Park for a stroll and cappuccino at Eataly’s…or walking to Saravanna Bhavan on 28th & Lex for some delicious South Indian food to walking up the 25+ blocks to window shop at Bloomie’s. Or doing prayer walks with my then 3month old in a stroller, as we strolled around the UN on 1st & 45th. Let’s not even get started with the museums and parks in NYC and just the sheer thrill of being a New Yorker, especially during the Fall. Your senses were always heightened in this city of cities. But you definitely didn’t want your senses heightened, using the subway on a sultry July afternoon…hahahaha…wow…the smells!!!!! LOL!!!

Space doesn’t permit me to express all the wonderful thrills of NYC. This city has my heart and always will. It’s where our son, Gabriel was born. At home. Our miracle on 34th St. The home birth was planned but it was still remarkably miraculous as we welcomed him with the soundtrack of the cabbie horns, sirens and bustling city noises being played in the background, along with an amazing worship play list I had compiled. (My home birth experience in Manhattan is another blog waiting to be written….lol…keep checking back to read about that wild and yet such a peaceful experience!!) And of course, how could I not mention the Christmas magic in NYC? It is astonishing and well…magical to stroll along on Fifth Ave and take in the brilliant and creative window displays of Bergdorf Goodman, Barney’s, Lord & Taylor’s and Sak’s while the aroma of chestnuts wafts from the street pushcarts that are ubiquitous. Have I told you yet how much I really looooove NYC?

As much as I am passionate about this city, what stirs me more is the awareness of the relentless, steadfast and unconditional love, God has for the people of this city and people of every city, town, village and hamlet. No matter where we live geographically, God knows our name (Isaiah 43:1), has numbered our hairs (Luke 12:7) and collects all of our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). Our lives matter to Him and He takes personal interest in our stories. There’s nothing too big or too small to discuss with Him. In the beginning of time and as we read in the book of Genesis, He created Adam and Eve for fellowship (Genesis 3:8). What God desires is our hearts and for us to simply believe in His kindness and trust in His salvation for every part of our being. He longs to be our Friend and Savior.

Much like the concrete jungle that NYC is known for, our lives at times can be a jungle of noise, chaos and shattered dreams. When we say “yes” to His plan and surrender our lives to Him, He takes us on an epic journey of faith and adventure of goodness. Yes, the goodness of His presence, that even when trials hit us and disappointments sting us, we can be confident that HIS ability to always be and do good, will prevail. He will always keep His promises and that is an unshakable foundation to build our lives on. I pray you’re encouraged today knowing you have a God who became flesh to take your place and show you an eternal, overflowing life far more vibrant than anything in NYC or any other city in this temporal world.