My dad sends me a card in the mail every Valentine’s Day and signs it, “Love always, Dad.” I look forward to the sentiment in the card, not because of the new Valentine’s theme each year, but because each February he reminds me of his unconditional love for me. His love has covered years of both my soaring and failing. That’s the wonderful thing about loving someone always. That love remains through the ups and downs of life.
When I think about my Heavenly Father, the same thoughts come to mind. I receive encouragement from God’s deep, abiding, unconditional love for me, whether I have succeeded or messed up. The Psalmist said, “I will always trust in God’s unfailing love” (Psalm 52:8b).
How about you? Do you trust that God loves you always, or do you feel like there is less love coming from God to you, when you experience shame?
Forgiveness comes at a cost. Remember that God is rich – rich in His love for all of us. Do you live freed up by the fact that God loves you always?
How are you at reaching out to others and loving them unconditionally? I know I need help with this at times, because there always are those hard-to-love types in my life.
1 John 4:16b says, “God is love, and all who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them.”
When we love, God lives in us.
I revel in the thought that when I love others, God is there with me. He can help me love those who are hard to love. That’s powerful!
When you love something or someone, you want to share that life-changing love with others.
I pray you will awaken to God’s unconditional love for you and reach out to others with that same love. No matter what, remember that God has signed His Valentine to you, and His signature says:
“Love always, Dad.”
Anne Schneider
Northeast Field Director
Inspiration