Love is a Marvelous Thing

Love …

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.” I John 3:1 (MSG) 

It really is marvelous, isn’t it? To be called the children of God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth? He even calls us by name and knows how many hairs are on our heads.

The need to be loved is one of our most basic human needs. Studies as far back as 1946 (Spitz and Wolf) show that withholding love and affection causes depression, lack of thriving, and stunted physical development in children. We never age out of needing love.

Sadly, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that a large number of suicides each year (80,00+) are due to experiencing intimate partner problems such as divorce, separation, romantic break-ups, arguments, conflicts, and intimate partner violence.

I think it is safe to say that we underestimate the importance of understanding our need for love.

Jesus Loves Me

Are you familiar with the children’s song—Jesus loves me?

This simple song, written by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1859, references many scriptures about God’s love for His children:1 John 4:16 (God is love), Ephesians 5:2 (walk in Love), Hosea 11:3-4 (God heals from love), John 14:27 (Gods love gives us wonderful gifts), Luke 18:15-17 (Jesus loves the little children), Mark 10:13-16 (bring the children to me-don’t keep them away), Matthew 19:13-15 (Jesus said, for such is the Kingdom of heaven and he laid hands on the children and prayed for them), and Matthew 28:20 (go and teach all that I have said to do).

1 Jesus loves me! this I know,
for the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.

[Refrain:]
Yes! Jesus loves me, loves me, loves me!
Yes! Jesus loves me,
for the Bible tells me so.

2 Jesus loves me! this I know:
he loved children long ago;
he can always make me glad,
even when I’m feeling sad. [Refrain]

3 Jesus loves me! he will stay
close beside me all the way;
he will always be my friend,
and his love will never end. [Refrain]

Spiritual Truth or the Lies of the Enemy — You Choose

All throughout the bible, we are told God loves us. When we choose to believe God over the whispers and shouts of the enemy, we can stand strong despite our circumstances — even in the midst of terrible trials.

Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned and tortured for 14 years in communist Romania for leading Christian worship. When he could no longer remember a complete bible verse due to the extreme torture, he clung to Jesus Loves Me’s simple refrain to maintain his sanity and testimony.

I often sing Jesus Loves Me when I am overwhelmed and feeling defeated. When I do, it quickly puts me back on a more hope-filled track.

God’s Love is Active

AI describes God’s love: In the Bible, particularly in 1 Corinthians 13, love is described as a set of actions and attitudes rather than a feeling. God’s love, as described in the Bible, is patient, kind, and not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, and rejoices in truth rather than wrongdoing. This love is also characterized by bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring all things. Ultimately, the Bible portrays God’s love as unconditional, steadfast, and unchanging.

The word ‘love’ is an action verb. Offering love to others doesn’t need to be complicated or hard.   Rabbi Yisroel Bernath says love in action is: listening when someone needs to talk, holding a hand when someone feels alone. It’s sharing a word of encouragement when someone feels down or offering a smile to brighten someone’s day.

Recognizing God’s Love in Times of Crisis

Three weeks ago on a Sunday morning, I was traveling from my hometown, Johnstown, PA, to Waynesville, NC. While traveling down a major highway, about an hour into my trip, my car began to sputter, and white smoke billowed from my exhaust. It felt like my car was about to stall. As trucks and cars sped by, I immediately began to pray and ask God what I should do. When I saw an exit ahead, I took it. I barely managed to coast off the highway and into a Dollar General parking lot that was right off the freeway. Thinking maybe the problem was my transmission, I thought I could just buy some transmission oil and then get back on the road.

I lifted the hood and, after an extensive physical, YouTube, and Google search, I realized that my 2018 Kia Soul had a closed system. It would take a dealer to take care of any transmission issues. As I  checked my other fluid levels, I saw my car needed oil, so I purchased some motor oil and asked if anyone knew of a garage that was open. I was in the small town of Smithfield, PA, and though everyone was helpful, I had no options at all until the next day.

Where was I Going to Sleep?

After adding the oil into my thirsty car, I sat and prayed again for God’s help. Then I remembered a scene in a mystery novel I had read where someone in need of information sought out the waitresses in a local diner. If anyone knew where I could find a room for the night, they would. The Dollar cashier directed me a mile and a half down the road to the Smithfield Main Street diner.

Sadly, after some murmurs of sympathy, I learned there were no motels or rooms for rent in or about town. Figuring God was up to something, I decided to lean into my crisis. I ordered a big breakfast, and again, I prayed. The diner was a very busy place, but I could overhear the waitresses talking and searching on their phones, all in an attempt to find me somewhere to sleep for the night. Small town PA at its finest. 😊 When I overheard someone say ’cabin’ and something about a farm that hosted weddings, I took my plate up to the counter and asked for a coffee refill and about the ‘maybe’ cabin.

In a Tent, by the Creek

And that is how I leaned into my crisis and ended up Glamping at Creekside Haven at the Farm. Does God love me, or what?

Let me back it up a few days…

Three days before this, my prayer partner and I went to visit my lifelong friends, Wayne and Terri Wyar. The “I was in their wedding; they were in mine” kinda friends that didn’t cut me out when I got divorced but have stayed close friends with me despite being close to my ex (which I am OK with). After lunch and a very sweet visit with tear-filled goodbyes, Wayne followed me out to my car and pressed a wad of bills into my hand. “This is for gas and whatever else you will need on your way back home.”

Now, I only carry about $20.00 in cash on my person for the occasional toll road when traveling because I prefer the paper trail my debit and credit cards give me.

Well, you probably guessed it. I needed cash to pay farmer Donny for my camping site. See? God loves me. He provided what I needed before I knew I needed it. So, with no other option (what a shame) other than spending the night in my car, I checked GLAMPING off my bucket list. Well, kinda-sorta. I moved it onto my new list: “I liked it and want to do more of it’ list. 😊

 

And another blessing? Donny, my host, hooked me up with his personal mechanic (just a mile down the road), who got me in first thing the next day. It turned out it wasn’t my transmission and didn’t require open-heart engine surgery after all. I was back on the road by 1:00 in the afternoon—smiling from ear to ear and well rested! Shout out to Medved Motors in Smithfield, PA.

No better way to live

God never said we wouldn’t have troubles. He said the exact opposite. But He did say he promises to go before us and make a way in the desert. Sometimes we have to wait for heaven to understand the why of things happening, but honestly, I had supernatural peace through it all. And since that time, I decided I want to live the rest of my life trusting God like this and letting Jesus direct and guide me.

There is no better way to live than living in the LOVE of God.

 

 

God loves you, too!

Has God supernaturally shown up with provision when you faced a crisis? I’d love to hear your testimony (to declare something as true, a personal declaration of belief or experience).

 

“They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11 NIV

To view additional photos of the farm and other photos of my May road trip, go to my Facebook page and scroll back. It was an incredible, Holy Spirit-led time during which I got to see and visit with so many of the people I love.

And, for more interesting facts about Anna, the writer of Jesus Loves Me, check out this Hymntime.com link.