For God So Loved

Walker ignores the dickens out of me when I tell him I love him. I do this often. He can be playing, sitting in his car seat, eating, doing something silly or sweet, or just being. Most of the time, he doesn’t even look up or acknowledge my voice. If I grab him up and smother him with kisses, he just squirms and tries to get away. Cuddle with him? Ha! The boy is not interested in Granny’s expressions of love. Except…

Except when he hurts. Just let him fall down or bump his little hard head. Then he wants me, my hugs, my kisses on where it hurts. But once the momentary pain has passed, so has he. On to the next big adventure. He knows Granny is there when he hurts. But there’s too much to do to bask in this love for long.

Oh sure, we have good times. Sometimes, out of the blue, Walker reaches up and kisses me. Or he will bring my hand to his cherub bud lips for a quick smooch. When it’s time to say goodbye, he’ll “give me some love.” This consists of allowing himself to be hugged, offering his cheek for a kiss, and sometimes patting my arm. Often he’ll rest his sweet little head on my shoulder, but only briefly. Remember: he’s a busy man!

So, does this remind you of anyone? Perhaps yourself? It sure does remind me of me. God loves me so much! He tells me over and over in a variety of ways throughout my day. Sometimes it’s an audible voice; other times it’s in the way He responds to my needs. When I fall down in my daily walk, when I get boo boos that hurt, He is the first One I go running to. I’ll let Him hold me and comfort me, kiss the pains away. Sometimes I will linger because it feels so good to be in His arms. But what about the other times, the times when I am too busy to pay attention to His sweet expressions of love? The times at night when I finally give Him my undivided attention while I pray and tell Him what I need tomorrow and, oh yeah, thanks for what You did today? Too many times I give Him only enough love in return to "do my duty" in keeping the peace.

What about the times throughout the day when I am not doing anything spectacular and just, out of the blue, He whispers He loves me? I tend to be like Walker and just go on about my business. The gentle touches, the helping hand that I don’t always acknowledge but sure expect to be there when I am climbing up my steps. The blankie being pulled up over me so that I stay warm. Making sure my cup is filled. Ahh, how my blessings runneth over.

These gestures are only a sampling of what I do—consciously and unconsciously—for my loved one. How wonderful that the expressions our Lord uses are always thought about, always ready, and always filled with love!