October 19, 2020
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
When I was growing up I would sometimes say “I wish I was 7 or 10 or 16 or some other age that seemed to offer me a little more of life that I thought I might miss out on. My mother would listen to my reasoning and then always say “Don’t wish away your life, Nancy, or you will lose out on the beauty of this day.” She was a mother of great faith, one of little words, but words that always had a deeper meaning for me to think about. It was through her actions that I knew she loved me and that her wisdom and love of scripture became evident.
Because of a mother’s love, I learned who I was. She lavished love on all of her “dearly loved children” because she first loved Jesus with all her heart and trusted in Him in how we were raised. Did we have a perfect childhood? A perfect existence? Of course not. But she was willing to follow God’s example of His love for her and therefore willingly sacrificed for our well-being.
So when I read in the Bible that I am a “dearly loved child of God” I believe it because I got my first understanding of this kind of love from my mother. I am filled with a peace that only comes from the knowledge of who I am in HIS eyes. I am His dearly loved child!
Although I fall short many times, I am trusting in Him to give me courage and wisdom as I try to imitate God’s love for me. It is my prayer that my actions will lead others to know Jesus as their personal Savior and therefore know who they are and how much they are truly loved. Thanks be to God!
Nancy Berry