Isn't that a funny, humbling feeling? The fact that a tiny tot can nonchalantly make a declaration that moves the core of your being... for real, "Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise." (Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:16)
A few weeks ago, I was with some people who are not biologically related to me, but are practically family. All their children are wonderful, but the youngest is the biggest character, by far. He's only three, but oh my goodness... the child is something else. Adorable, incredibly smart, life of the party, happy and funny kid... and like a lot of children, a tell-it-like-it-is, no-filter nonstop talker. And since I've known him since he was born and babysat him so many times since then, I'd like to go on record as saying I'm in his fan club. I just love this kid.
So this one day I came for a visit, and as soon as I walked in the door, this child was clamoring for my attention, which meant I had to split my attention between him and his mother (with whom I was actually trying to hold a conversation). Finally, he got tired of having to constantly interject into our conversation to make himself heard, and he decided that he wanted me all to himself. He grabbed my hand and began dragging me to another room, at which point his mother said with a laugh, "I'm sorry, he's just really excited that you're here; you don't have to go with him." I responded with, "Oh, it's no problem; I love kids."
Of course this precious child heard my comment. And without missing a beat, he looked me square in the eye, and with a big grin, loudly declared, "You love ME!!!"
At this point, his mother and I burst out laughing--she, because of his audacity; I, because I didn't know what to say. In between gasps, I managed, "Yes, yes I do."
But in that moment, I was so moved. This kid knew that I loved him. He was so confident, he could naturally, easily say it loud and proud. And immediately I knew that God was using this child--who isn't even mine--to show me something of what He feels when His children delight in His love.
I don't claim to know much, but what I do know for absolute certain is the simplest, yet most profound truth: Jesus loves me. Perfect God the Father loves perfect God the Son with perfect love... and with that love, Jesus loves me. Regardless of all of my imperfections, despite all of my shortcomings... Jesus loves me! He chose me; He died for me; and because He lives, I have life, abundant life... now that's incredible.
So now, all I can do is rejoice.
I stand in wonder and in awe, breathing in this amazing truth:
Jesus, You love me.
Friends, there is no way that I could ever fully communicate the love of God, but it is my prayer that you also experience the width and length and depth and height of the love of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
-Alyce
I am so glad that our Father in Heav'n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me!
