Love is a Person
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1st John 4:16
“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”–Victor Hugo
Have you had a child or student ask you what is love? We know our Father is love, though mystifying.
It “starts with the end in mind.” All parents imagine wonderful things for their newborns. Will they be a doctor? Pilot? Cure cancer? Parents make a big deal about their first step, first “potty” and first day of school. And they do everything possible in the present to love this new one to good things. They save for college. They make sure to feed their loved ones the very best. They encourage, discipline, praise, teach and touch. And our Father does the same for us, His children, and more too. Think about when you became a brand new Christian. Did the Father delight with your most basic accomplishments? Did He not celebrate when you were baptized or took your first communion? The angels celebrate when someone becomes a Christian. They celebrated over you! We were babies in the faith and look how far we’ve come, even if it was only yesterday. He knows the perfect result.
Love is a person. He’s active. He serves. He has fruit for those who hunger. He comforts the grieving. He counsels – “Wisdom from above.” He never leaves you. He never gives up. Jesus said, “If you being evil know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give to those who ask Him.” We receive from a person. We have a relationship with a real person.
He’s got this. He’s got you. No matter the challenges, situations or griefs we experience, Jesus prayed and said, “Not one will be snatched from His hand.” It’s hard to grasp this when we’re drowning in turmoil, but he truly has us in his hands. No matter what you’ve done, did not do or won’t do, He’s got you because He loves you. This is how we learn to love each other.
Musings
This is why we are grateful for IN all things. No, we’re not grateful FOR all things. But we have Someone who loves us more than we can understand, for now. Some things will be clear and some things will not be until we’re with the Father in Paradise, but we can be sure Someone who is Love is with us always and forever.
Prayer
Dear Father,
Love is a Person: Jesus. Perfect love. Love that casts out fear. Love that never leaves us. Love that has a vision and purpose for us now and forever.
With a grace that knows no bounds.
Thank you.
Amen.
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 