Because I Love You With An Everlasting Love
March 22
Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ ”
I have a list of things that I have loved for a very long time. Strawberries are one of my favorite loves. Anything with strawberries is undoubtedly great. I love strawberry pie, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry smoothies, and anything with strawberry flavoring. Close friends know that if there is something strawberry on the menu, I’m likely to order it. A second love of mine is white chocolate. White hot chocolate is most definitely near the top of my “favorite love” list. Just recently I met someone at a coffee shop where I ordered a white hot chocolate and told the barista I wanted it as hot as possible. My friend just laughed and said, “You and your white hot chocolate.”
I have a favorite football team and often express my love for them. I love weather that is 75-80 degrees with a gentle breeze, sunny skies, and low humidity. I love going for a run. I love watching true crime shows. I love hanging out with friends. I love spending time on the beach. I love mowing my lawn. I love my three children. All three of my children are adopted, and I have loved them from the first day I saw them. I can’t imagine life without them even when I think of the “parenting is the most difficult job you’ll ever have” moments. For sure there were times of frustration and disappointment, but there have been many of the “joys of parenting” times. My unconditional, but imperfect, love for them is deep. It is a love that won’t change and will be there until my last breath.
My love for my children had a beginning and will eventually end when my time on earth is over. But, this is not true of God’s love for me. God’s love has no beginning. It has always been there. There never was a time when God’s love was not present and that He did not love me. He loves me in the present, and there will never be a future time when He will stop loving me. His love has always been, is, and will always be. The Bible tells us there is absolutely nothing that will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). While my love is flawed and imperfect, God’s love is perfect. God’s love is unconditional. God’s love is forgiving. God’s love is full of grace and mercy. God’s love changes hearts and lives. God is love. Praise God for the love He offers. Daily when I look to Him I am reminded of His love for me.