Countin' Loves (Nov 7, 1999)
Driving down the road one day, I asked my son, "Caleb, how much do you love
me?"
As he stretched out his hands as wide as he could, he responded, "Daddy, I
love you with 20 loves!"
I guess my four-year-old's concept of love was based on some value system.
You know, 5 loves for a grilled cheese, 7 loves for the family pet, 3 loves
for a Hot Wheels car, and 20 loves for his daddy.
Needless to say, I was touched. 20 loves! That's a lot. I smiled proudly
as I drove down the road.
A few days later, we were talking again, and Caleb said, "Daddy, I love you
with duncountinluvs."
"What?" I asked curiously.
"Daddy, I love you with done countin' loves."
"Thanks Caleb!" I said, still wondering what 'done counting loves' meant.
A few days later, it hit me. He loves me so much that he's done counting
the loves. He can't count any higher. In other words, his love for me goes
beyond counting. Again, my heart melted.
Such love reminds me of God's love for each of us. His love knows no
bounds. You can't count God's love for you. It's higher than any number
you may try to assign to it. It's greater than any love a person can give
you. His love is unconditional, based on who you are, not what you can do.
Why do I share this about God's love? How does it relate to fear and
anxiety? The Bible says, "Where God's love is, there is no fear, because
God's perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18a).
I want you to know and experience God's love. His perfect love drives out
all fear--fear of man, fear of death, fear of the future, fear of fear.
Through Jesus, God's love can reach down from heaven and touch you. God
doesn't love you with 20 loves or a thousand loves or even a trillion loves.
God loves you beyond measure. He loves you with done countin' loves.
Just as Caleb stretched out his hands as wide as he could and said, "I love
you this much!" Jesus stretched out his hands as he was nailed on the cross
and said, "I love you this much!"
Blessings!
Russell
o-----------------------------------------------
| Russell Pond <><
| Season of Peace
| email:  ponder@season.org
| web: http://www.season.org
© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission
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