God's Love

Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised,
Perfect peace and rest.

Late the other night I stepped into my daughter’s room where she was nestled in her crib. She stirred a bit as I gathered her in my arms and held her close, nursing her back to sleep. Before I laid her back down, I stopped to gaze at her tiny face. Her breath was warm and sweet on my shoulder, her lips pink and still, her eyes peaceful and at rest. And for those few moments, I was able to see her through the window of God’s eyes: perfect.

It didn’t make any difference that she has webbed toes, or wakes me up at night, or that she cries a lot, or hasn’t learned to crawl. The only thing that mattered, the only thing on which my love was based, was that she was my child.

I knew the next morning would bring a new day, full of tears, messes, dirty diapers, and the like. I knew that our special moment together would seem like a fairy tale amidst the mundane tasks of everyday life. I knew that I would lose my temper, sometimes speak sharply, grow weary, and again see her through my own fallen eyes and not God’s. But the perspective of our Lord does not change as does ours. If we are in Christ, he sees us always and forever, as perfect; because, when He looks at us, He sees His child.

So often I try to earn God’s favor, when all He requires of me to is to come in childlike dependence and rest. I toil to please Him when His favor is already mine. If I think I have fallen short, I punish myself with guilt when forgiveness has already been extended.  I doubt His unchanging love, supposing it is like mine.

I think of the prodigal son who squandered his father’s wealth and reputation with selfish, wild living. As a parent, how would I have reacted? Would I have been angry? Complaining? Scolding or correcting? But he was none of these. He cared for nothing but fellowship with his son. Yes, he was not worthy and barely deserved to be made like one of his hired men. But to that father, he had back his child. Instead of punishing him as his behavior deserved, he welcomed him with celebration and joy.

Dear God, I pray that I may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Amen.