Child of God

1 John 3:1

"See how very much our Father loves us, 

for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!"

I was waiting in line at Smashburger on Tuesday when a little girl hopped up on top of the booth at the sight of her father meeting them for lunch, "Hi Daddd-dddy!" she exclaimed, her little pigtails bobbing with glee. She couldn't get to him fast enough--to be held and admired and loved.  She kissed him "on this cheek" and then "on that cheek too," his face held tightly in her chubby, dimpled, little three year-old hands. He delighted in her, and she in him.

I did a little awwwww face and choked back the tears. I felt the sigh come out of my shoulders as they drooped longingly. I remember those days.  What a stark contrast to my interaction with my 13 year-old son, who winced, batted away my hand and pulled back when I tried to tousle his hair and love on him that morning. #toocoolformom #maybelater

This week, we are receiving God's love.  We're really chewing on how wide and long and high and deep it is. Letting it fill us. We're worshipping Him in it.  Spending time in love with our Savior. We're making a conscious effort to bask in His love and return it to him. We are choosing to be the three year-old girl with her daddy. I wonder how often God tries to give us His love when we bat away his hands?

Let's pray to be aware of His love. To feel it. To believe it.  To delight in one another! Meditate here, as his daughter--a child of the Living King--and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

For you are all children of the light and of the day; 

we don't belong to darkness and night. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, 

he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. 

Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. 

And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4:7)

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. (Romans 8:16)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romoans 8:14)

Which one means the most to you? Let's end our morning, with prayers that feel like cheek kisses for our Father.