Speaking of His great love, today I would like us to read just a few verses in 1 John 3. Wrapped up in those first three verses are a depiction of God's adoration for us. We are his children, the ones he has brought into His family. Wow! Have you ever considered that? We are not only personally invited to eat at the King's table, but we aren't just a guest, we are family.
So what does that mean exactly? Allow me to explain a little more. Tuesday for example, was one of those days you literally crawl into bed and thank God for tomorrow. My day started of pretty normal, but soon became quite eventful. Long story short, I expertly... accidentally... spilled coffee all over myself. Not just on my shirt or on my jeans, but on top of my head. I was trying to give my son his blanket, while holding him, and my full cup of coffee. And there it went, oozing down my scalp and dripping onto my white shirt. So, needless to say, I had to make a speed stop at Target to grab a new shirt off the clearance rack and a hat to cover my now crunchy hair before my doctor's appointment. (We weren't late, praise the Lord!) But oh, that's not all! Later that day, we stopped at Michael's to get a few things and when we left it was raining outside. I quickly loaded my son into his car seat, but he was playing with my keys and pressing buttons on the key faub. I was afraid he was going to set off the panic button so I took the keys away and finished strapping him in. Trying to avoid getting too wet, I closed his door and went to jump in and realized I had placed the keys, with my phone, on the middle console...... and the button he pushed was... the lock button! So there I am, locked out of my car, with my keys, phone, son and my husbands keys, all inside the vehicle, standing in the rain, praying for help! So why do I say all that? To say that even with the failure the day brought, my coffee crunched hair and wet clothes, my family still welcomed me and loved me.
That's our God!! Regardless of your day, your past, your sin, your shame... He still welcomes you to come join Him and He loves every minute of it! And even better, God's love is exponentially greater than any other love we have ever experienced! I could go on and on about His overwhelming love!! Today's reading (in verse 1) articulates that there are some people that do not know they are God's children. They don't know they are welcome at His table because they identify themselves in the world. Dine with Him, friends and let's do our part to spread the word that everyone is already considered God's family! Cover them with love and welcome them, just as Christ offers you!
Today is about family! Your task for today is to help someone in your family with something! Maybe it's helping with a household chore, taking care of an errand for them so they don't have to worry, helping to complete something they couldn't complete on their own, etc.... get creative! Ask God to show you how you can help and what He would have you do in your home today to create that sacred family feeling of love for those in your house.
Here is my little guy getting in on all the fun and helping mommy clean house today!
I decided I would take out the trash (all the way to the dumpster) for my hubby today!
I'm praying for you all and am so encouraged by your feedback. I would love to continue to see pictures and hear how God is speaking to you through this advent challenge.
