Posted by Nancy on June 11, 2008 at 20:17:18:
In Reply to: Unconditional love?? posted by Only_The_Lonely on June 10, 2008 at 00:52:36:
I've thanked God that you're still alive.
The concept of God's unconditional love comes through so clearly in a children's book that probably wasn't written for that reason. It's called "The Way Mothers Are" by Miriam Schlein.
If you can get your hands on it at all, please do. It's a story of a kitten repeatedly trying to figure out how come his mom loves him. The first time I read it, I was as stumped as the little kitten when the mom kept saying "...but that's not why I love you." I had to keep turning the pages to find out the answer because I had so little understanding of unconditional love at the time.
I've prayed for you to grasp the truth of His love. Years ago I was at a retreat, and they had arranged for a pastor to come in each morning to give a devotional. This was a totally optional part of the retreat.
The first morning there weren't very many there. He spoke on 1 John 3:1 "How great a love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God."
He told stories and illustrations to get across what God's love is like.
The second morning, there were a few more people there. He told us he had had something else prepared, but he felt that he needed to go back to 1 John 3:1 again. He said it was because "I think we just don't get it."
And he told more stories and gave more illustrations of what God's love is like.
The third morning, there was standing room only. And he said, "I think we still don't get it." And he talked on 1 John 3:1 again, with stories and illustrations.
Honestly, it was the best part of the retreat. It was like having someone sit me down every morning and tell me "God loves you. God loves you. God loves you." What a way to start the day.
I need to go now, but if I remember, I'll add to this another time. I took notes in those devotional times, and I still go back to them and read them through every now and then.
Take care.
Nancy