Sunday, February 15, 2009

"....His banner over me is love." Song 2:4

This time of year thoughts of love are flying everywhere. Sadly, most people feel disappointed. And yet you have been loved with the greatest love of all. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends."John 15:13 Years ago, I was so busy feeling sorry for myself that I forgot to think about how my kids were feeling about themselves. This week the question came "How do I help my kids when they are not feeling loved and accepted?" I think every person young and old will struggle with feelings of rejection until they accept the love of Jesus. "But God commanded His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8 We didn't do anything to deserve that love, it is a free gift. We can just accept it. It is hard for me to help my kids feel loved when I am not feeling loved or accepting Christ's love. Even though I love my children more than they can imagine. Only the love of Jesus will fill that empty space. The best thing I can do is point my kids to the cross. Of course, I need to have been there myself. Just as I am, sin and all, I come to the cross and lay all my problems at the feet of Jesus. And in His love and grace He gives me back "...beauty for ashes, the oil for joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified." Isa 61:3 I want to instill on my own heart and the hearts of my kids God's extravagant, immeasurable, unending thoughts of love and joy over His children. We read verses about it, sing songs of joy, and spend time thinking on His thoughts.

Zep 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

Nourish Your Child