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A Mere Reflection of His Love

C.S. Lewis said,
"God always lets us feel the frailty of human love so we'll experience the strength of His."
I've become more and more aware of the frailty of my own love. I am limited by sin. Fear and pride cause hurt and disappointment. The failures of my love bring me to my knees, and I realize how desperately grateful I am for God's love. His love is unconditional. His love is sacrificial. His love speaks quietly to the desires of my heart. His love disciplines in a manner which encourages growth. His love removes the stain of sin so I may receive the perfection of His presence.

1 John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loves us." What a gift!? The small ways humans express love are mere reflections of the love of our Heavenly Father. How he loves us in sunsets, and dances, and pastures filled with flowers are fractions of His heart's expression of love. How he loves us in heartache, and loss, and grieving are bound together by an unshakable strength. Psalms 23 summarizes this well...

1
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Derek Kidner said,
"Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape, its contentment is not complacency; there is a readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes towards no material goal but to the Lord Himself."
May we know this love. A love that takes us beyond ourselves. A love which brings us to the very heart of our Maker.

All my love,
Gennavieve

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