As a mother I have learned that God gives many lessons through the “mouths of babes.” While I may have thought I was the one teaching and training, I have come to realize that there has been many things my Heavenly Father taught me through my children.
Such as a lesson about love…
As my first born, Brian was everything to me. All my time, energy, and purpose was wrapped up in caring for him and spending time with him. As my first baby I was wowed with his “firsts”! Every day he did something new and I was so caught up in watching him grow and spending time with him. So when I became pregnant again at first I was eager to have another little one to enjoy as I was enjoying Brian. But as the months progressed I began to wonder if I would be able to love another baby as I loved Brian. When Cliff was born, I learned the lesson that because God is love, love has no limits, it always abounds, and there is plenty for everyone!
With each new baby I realized that not only does love abound, but because God creates each one uniquely, each child’s firsts were amazing! Just as I delighted in Brian’s firsts, I delighted in Cliff’s, Austin’s, and Kayla’s because each one’s firsts were unique to them. They each learned and responded differently according to their personality and I loved them for it.
When they were a little older they would ask me who I loved most. Now maybe at the moment it did seem as though I loved one of them more than the others, but that question never received the answer they were looking for. So they would come up with their own answers based on how they perceived the ways I demonstrated my love. Who got the most things, who was allowed to do the most, who got away with the most…
I enjoy the simplicity and honesty of children. I think this is why God can teach us lessons through them.
I’m sure you have wondered if God really loved you and when you didn’t seem to get an answer, you began to ponder the evidence to prove whether He did or not?
How do you determine God’s love for you?
You are probably like my children and begin to look for evidence.
What is the evidence that proves you are loved?
This is an all important question you need to consider!
How you answer this question will determine whether or not you ever know whether you are truly loved.
If you look for evidence of God’s love for you
in the things of this world…
in the people of this world…
in the successes of this world…
to determine whether God loves you or not you will always be uncertain, you will always be searching, you will never have enough evidence to know you are loved.
My children have grown to realize that the amount of things they received, permission to do certain things, being allowed to get away with things doesn’t prove my love for them. Yes, these are expressions of my love, but my love is not to be measured by the amount of evidence, nor is my love conditional upon their performance, I love them simply because they are mine!
And this is what God says to you as well,
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, And He who formed you, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1
This is God’s answer to your question as to whether or not you are loved. God’s love for you isn’t found in the things of this world, in the people of this world, nor in the successes of this world, it is found only in Him because God is Love!
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:15-16
Evidence of God’s love is written all throughout the Bible and is displayed all throughout His creation, but the climax of His Love was demonstrated on the cross as His Son, Jesus, died for the forgiveness of sin so you can personally know and experience the One who is love, God Himself!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
So rather than searching for evidences of God’s love for you, search for God Himself, spend time with Him, get to know Him through His word, talk with Him throughout your day for God is love and the more you know Him the more you will experience His love!
