Skip to main content

I Love You This Much!





I’m writing this post today with a little help from Susanna.  When you look at this picture, what do you see?  I often think of the question, “How much do you love us, Jesus?”  And He stretches out His arms on the cross and says to us “This much.”  Then He dies.  Sometimes I need to be reminded of just how much I am loved.  Maybe you do too.

I was reading this morning in 1 John 5 and writing in my journal how loved I feel because I can enter into God’s presence and ask Him for things.  It’s all because of what Jesus did.  I have a father-daughter relationship built on trust.  For sure, I’m not going to ask selfishly but wisely and in His will for me.  It’s a faith booster I embrace.

I remember several years ago when a pastor friend of ours traveled through town and preached a message of God’s love reminding us of the access to Him we have because Jesus made the way.  He used Ronald Reagan for an illustration.  His young daughter at that time was a big Reagan fan.  It wasn’t as stylish then as it is today either!  She was only a pre-teen, but loved history and he was her hero.  She wrote him a letter and poured out her heart to him.  To her parent’s amazement she received a reply and an invitation to meet him at his ranch in California.  They drove her there and waited thirty minutes outside while she sat with him privately and visited the retired president.  I love the way he accommodated her—just him and her!  It’s a good illustration of how willing our Father God is to be with us, one to one!

14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  I John 5: 14, 15

I was a young mom in the Reagan years very busy with kids and I took for granted what a great president I had.  The country was safe and I was oblivious to the integrity of such a great man’s leadership.  Today it’s different.  I’m fully aware of how blessed I am to live in a nation built on the foundational principles of The Bible.  I, too, am keenly aware that I have access to the throne of God because I’m His.  He’s so important and I’m not, but I’ve made up my mind to not take it for granted and I'm going in! 

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 1, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    Oh my gosh...Susanna has really grown!
    I was 18 when I cast my first vote...for Ronald Reagan, on a paper ballot in WV. What a great story and illustration.
    Timely words of wisdom, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DeniseNovember 1, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    She is so precious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kathleen November 6, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Susanna is growing up. What an adorable, sweet baby girl!

    I don't think I woke up to politics until midlife. It just didn't seem important to me until then, but it sure has been ever since. I know & trust the Lord to work out His perfect will through each election season, but I also know the great privilege we've been granted in voting. So many have no such say.

    How's Carrie doing? Is she married yet? I think of her often, and thank God for His blessings in her life (and ours).

    ReplyDelete
  4. PeggyNovember 8, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    Truly God loves us. it's so wonderful to have a Heavenly Father like that.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Because He Lives, I Can Move

I’m currently in one of those places where you lay out all the options and then you make the best decision. It seems, however, like none of the choices are fair or attractive. I know God will help me in my situation because I desire His guidance. I’m clinging to His Word which promises that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28. I heard a great teaching this week about seeking God’s will and all the freedom that surrender brings. We can know that God is bringing about a victory if we trust Him with each and every decision. The speaker illustrated his point with a famous painting. The painting depicts a look of despair on the chess player’s face. He’s playing Satan and his soul is at stake. It looks like Satan is winning. Checkmate! When Paul Morphy saw this painting back in the 1800’s, he set up a chess board and aligned the pieces to reflect the painting. Being a world champion, he studied the board. His conclusi
16 comments
Read more

Humor for the Bride and Groom

A young couple decided to wed.  As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive.  Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice.   "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage."  His father replied, "Don't you love this girl?"   "Oh yes, very much," he said," but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I'm afraid that my fiancé will be put off by them."  "No problem," said dad, "all you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed."   Well, to him this seemed a workable solution. The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her problem up with her mom."  Mom," she said, "When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful."  "Honey," her mother consoled, "everyone has
6 comments
Read more

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street?”   I replied that I’ve order coffee once in that place with a turke
26 comments
Read more