“We love because he first loved us.” ~ I John 4:19

My little boy made my day today.

This morning, he came up to me and gave me a hug.  And then, as he was walking away, he said, “Love you.”  My heart melted, because it was the first time he said it to me first, and not in response to me saying it.

It made me wonder, how often do I tell God I love Him?  And just because, not in response to something He is doing in my life?  I think we could all stand to tell God more often how much we love Him, just because of who He is and who we are as His children.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” ~ Romans 5:5

These past few weeks have really been a struggle for me to write anything for this blog.  And unlike the past year and a half, there have even been days where I simply can’t find it in me to write at all.  Yesterday was one of those days, compounded by the fact it was extraordinarily busy.  I think sometimes it can simply be difficult finding one more thing to say at the end of the day, even if you know that something should be praise to God.

So how beautiful is this reminder from Romans that God is pouring His love into our hearts.  Filling us completely with the Holy Spirit.  Even if you cannot find the words, know that His love for you will make you whole.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” ~ Ephesians 2:4-5

Today, after he woke up from his nap, my son and I were playing with some of his toys.  In the middle of it, I gave him a hug and said, “I love you.”

He laughed and said, “I know.”

That made me laugh.  It also brought me joy, because I love that even at his tiny age, he knows he’s loved.

What do you say when your Heavenly Father tells you He loves you?  Do you say, “I know”?  Or do you think, “Well, maybe, but if I tried harder, He’d love me more”?

I can tell you this – the love God has for you is complete.  You can’t add anything to it by your actions.  Your job is to simply know that He loves you, and love Him back.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” ~ Ephesians 3:18

If you ever have the chance to stand on the ocean shore and watch the water for awhile, you should take it.

The waves crash into the shore, over and over – relentlessly. They never stop, never take a break. With waves both small and large, the water continually pounds into the sand. It’s beautifully soothing to see.

It reminds me of how much God loves us – He is willing to pursue us to the ends of the earth. God loves you too much to leave you where you are. He has a plan for you and a love greater and deeper than the largest ocean.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” ~ John 15:9

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” ~ I John 3:1

I was reflecting today on our desire to be chosen.  To be on the team, selected for an award, chosen to be a friend.  We crave that kind of attention and fiercely long for someone to look at us and say, “I choose you.”

And yet, God’s love triumphs over all the fleeting earthly pleasures of being chosen for something that will not last.  He’s deep, passionate love should overwhelm us, but too often we take it for granted.

Never forget that you have been chosen by the King.  He loves you more than you will ever know.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” ~ John 15:12-15

A friend shared the following quote on Facebook today:

Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give, because He would give the best, and man will not take it. -George MacDonald

My question for you today: Are you accepting God’s best for you?  Or are you insisting on settling for less? Jesus came to earth to lay down His life for us – and He calls us His friends.  Do we act like this is the best gift we have ever received, or do we take His love for granted?

“We love because he first loved us.” ~ I John 4:19

As I drove around today, running errands, I had the radio on, as I usually do.  A song came on, one that I’ve heard several times.  It’s a pleasant song, by an artist that I enjoy in small doses.  Below are some of the lyrics:

I have died everyday
waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
thousand years
I’ll love you for a
thousand more

And it struck me that we seem to think that we humans have the corner on romantic love.  That seeking love with another person is the greatest expression of love.  That nothing could be more passionately expressed as the way you feel about the person you love.

Well, I John 4:19 pretty much flies in the face of that entire sentiment.

Regardless of what secular society tells us, the Bible says that we love only because He loved us first.  Without the love of God, we would have no idea how to love one another.  And the love we feel for other people is but a miniscule glimpse – a reflection – of the way God loves us.

I think so often we think of God’s love for us as rather stand-offish, as if God were some British grandparent that peers at us over the rims of His spectacles, loving us in a gruff, abrupt manner.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.  Any passion we feel springs for the model that God set for us.  He loves us more than anything.  He grandly demonstrates His love in the sweeping creation we are surrounded by.  He lavished so much love on us that He didn’t even begrudge us His only Son – He willing let Him go, so that He could be with us.

If that’s not love, then nothing is.  God loves you more than anyone could ever hope to – and more than you will ever be able to comprehend.