Today’s scripture: Romans 8:31-39 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
My two year old son has begun to assert his independence in some powerful ways. On most days, I couldn’t have asked for a better kid. He is kind-hearted, sweet, well-mannered, and so very adorable. But then there are other days, like the one yesterday.
My little guy decided that he did not need to take a nap yesterday because he is, in his words, “a big boy.” So, by the time dinner was ready in the evening, he was already wearing on my last nerve. He said “no” to everything I asked him to do. He ran from me when I tried to corral him to the dinner table. He refused to eat what was on his plate and instead threw the plate on the floor. As I carried him to the time out seat, he reared his head back and head butted me right on the bridge of my nose. I swear I saw stars. I put him in time out and walked away to nurse my throbbing nose.
When I read today’s scripture passage, I instantly remembered what happened yesterday. My son was being extremely difficult, but even when the stars were shining in my vision I never withdrew my love from him. In fact, after a couple of minutes had passed and the time out was over, I scooped him up in my arms and told him I loved him. My nose was still sore, it’s still sore today, but it didn’t change for one second how I feel about my little boy. There is nothing that will ever cause me to take my love away from him — nothing.
It amazes me to think that God feels that same way about me. It is one thing to know it intellectually but something altogether different to really feel it. Becoming a parent has helped me to feel it. Sometimes I am extremely difficult, sometimes life is extremely difficult, sometimes the whole world feels extremely difficult — but even in those times of outrageous difficulty God’s love abounds. Today, I’ve decided to let myself feel that kind of love from God and I hope you will too.
Thought for the day: God, thank you for your boundless love. May I feel that love today and find comfort, security, and peace because of it. Amen.
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