Category Archives: God’s Love

When God Smiles

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In my lifelong search to understand God’s love, I’ve discovered that it’s more than His protection and provision; it’s more than His forgiveness and great sacrifice. One of the sweetest ways He expresses His love is through His delight in us.

We recently had guests for lunch, and their youngest son was completely fascinated by our black cat’s favorite sleeping place. Ebony loves to burrow under quilts, blankets, pillows—actually, under just about anything that will cover her.

We would gently lift the edge of the throw she was hiding beneath, and all little Isaiah could see were two bright green eyes peering back at him. Every time, he burst into that wonderful, delighted laugh that only a two-year-old can give.

As I listened, I could almost hear God smiling.

In that moment, I realized He was giving me another glimpse of Himself through a child’s joyful laughter.

Psalm 149:4 says,

“For the LORD takes delight in His people.”

What a beautiful thought! The God who created the universe delights in us.

That verse reminds me of another striking promise found in Zephaniah 3:17:

“The LORD your God is with you… He will take great delight in you… He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Perhaps this is one of the dimensions of God’s love we often overlook. His love doesn’t merely provide, protect, forgive, and redeem. It delights.

Psalm 147:11 adds another beautiful thought: “The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” 

There’s a beautiful connection between God’s love and His delight in us. God doesn’t simply love us because He is love. He also enjoys us. His love is joyful. He delights in His children. Perhaps that’s why a child’s delighted laugh caught my attention. For just a moment, it gave me a tiny glimpse of the delight God takes in us, His children.

He shows us His love in countless ways—a child’s laughter, hummingbirds dancing around the feeders, the colors and patterns of creation, people who reflect His character, and quiet moments that remind us He is near.

Today, watch for the LORD’s delighted love.

 It’s everywhere.

The Red Slide

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Watching children play is a reminder of the freedom that comes from simply being who they are.

A while back, we took our four-year-old God-niece, Annabelle (AB), to McDonald’s Playland for supper. Like most children her age, she was far more interested in exploring the tunnels and slides than in eating her chicken nuggets. Still, she mostly stood watching instead of joining in. Then I remembered something she had said earlier in the car. Someone had warned her not to be afraid of the red slide.

Wanting to help her feel more comfortable, I asked a nearby mom if I could introduce AB to her daughter and if she might help her navigate the play area. Introductions were made, and the two girls happily disappeared into the maze of tubes and tunnels together.

A little while later, AB came back looking concerned. She couldn’t find her new friend, who had apparently gone into one of the bubble windows. When AB finally found her, she discovered the little girl no longer wanted to play because AB wouldn’t go down the read slide.

Not long after that, AB met another little girl named Emma. As the two of them played, I noticed something important. AB still stayed on the green slide, carefully avoiding the red one altogether. But Emma didn’t seem to mind. She wasn’t worried about which slide AB chose. I wasn’t a big deal to her; she was simply happy to have a friend.

That small moment became a beautiful reminder of the love of Jesus. He does not wait for us to conquer every fear before He draws near to us. He, very simply, invites us to build a relationship with Him. He meets us where we are and loves us unconditionally, even while we are still learning to trust Him with our own “red slides”. Actually, His love is what encourages us to face them in the first place. Jesus loved us before we conquered our fears.

Abba Father, help me recognize the “red slides” in my life and trust You to help me through them. Give me the courage to follow where You lead, even when I am afraid. Thank You for loving me before my fears were conquered. Amen and yes!

This post is being shared with many other writers’ entries at Five Minute Friday.

I first wrote this post on October 7, 2011. Today I revisited and made a few updates.

Psalm 19:1

12.5

God loved on me with this beautiful sunrise today! What an artist!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

God’s Love

Do you ever have moments when something you’ve read in the word many times has new meaning?  God’s word is new every morning.

Understanding God’s love for me (and You) is nearly impossible. Think about it. It’s too much. It’s higher, longer, broader, greater, extravagant, extreme, lavish, unconditional, unending…  His love is more than the width of His arms stretched out on that cross. If that is possible!

He wants us to know that in this incredibly unloving world His love is always there, always available, always within reach, always…  FREE! For Him, it cost his most precious Son. For us it is free. He wants to give it. We cannot earn it. We cannot buy it. We can only accept it. Have you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

I’ve written these thoughts in response to week 5 of Deb Wolf’s 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women.

Thank you to Bible Gateway for the links to God’s Word.