"
I am the middle child of five born to my parents in eight short years. Our house buzzed with activity, sibling rivalry, and noise. Stadiums full of noise. I was one girl among a handful of kids who wanted to catch the eye of my busy, work-a-holic daddy. While I knew he loved me, I wanted so much more from him. I wanted to hear his love, to feel his love, to be sheltered by his love, and to be adored.
One of my favorite childhood memories is of the times in summer when my big, strong dad would take both of my hands in his and then begin to spin. Running in circles around him, I would quickly gain momentum and take flight. Round and round we would go. Pure delight. My heart soared with the wild, dizzy adventure of it all as my brown eyes laughed with his blue eyes, shrinking to crescents of joy.
And when the moment was over I wanted more.
Again, Daddy! I would beg. Please? Just one more time!
I wanted more of the love. More of the adventure. More of the joy that centered on the attention of my father.
I wanted more than any human or any adventure could ever give.
And I still do.
I often look to my husband, children and friendships to fill this ache that drives me.
I am so thankful that the Bible reminds me of this intensely personal truth: God is my heavenly Father – my Abba Father – who loves me in the way I’ve always wanted to be loved. Perfectly. All-sufficiently.
We women need to know this. To grasp this. To accept this. To embrace this.
I do want the love of my people. And that’s okay. But I cannot expect that the imperfect nature of humanity, relationships, and this world can satisfy my deepest heart cravings. Only God can satisfy.
Only God.
Only the One who was willing to sacrifice His Son to bridge the chasm of death between His holiness and my humanness. His is the love that holds, the love that heals, the love that refines, the love that calls my waywardness back to purity with kindness, the love that is always with me, that saves, rejoices over me with singing, and takes great delight in me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
This love. This sacred, scarlet love of Jesus is the only water that can quench the desperate longings of my thirsty soul. His is the only love that satisfies. To grasp the love God has for me, my feeble hands must reach for the ones that were pierced for my transgressions.
Reach for them with me.
Dear Lord,
You are perfect love…and all that my soul longs for. When I am dizzy with discontent, please remind me that Yours is the love that satisfies.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
How personally do you take God’s love? Is it hard for you to imagine? Me too. But truth is truth. We need to take God at His WORD! Read and meditate on these verses: Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 86:15 and Zephaniah 3:17.
GIVEAWAY: Journal a one-sentence summary that encapsulates the truth of God’s love for you. Then tell me your one sentence summary! Leave it as a comment. I will be picking 3 random one-sentence-summaries to receive a FREE digital download of my latest music {My Strength, My Song}.
Congratulations to our three winners: Sharon, Judy, and Tina. Thank you for reading my blog and for entering the contest. I hope you enjoy my music and may God use it to draw you to Himself.
Connect with me on Twitter, Periscope, Facebook or Instagram {@GwenSmithMusic} because I’m pretty much obsessed with encouraging you towards Jesus!
Warmly in His Love,
GWEN
Comments 88
God loves me so much regardless of what ever I have done! Thank God for His unconditional LOVE!
God’s love consumes me in a cozy cocoon that touches the deepest longings of my being soothing my searching soul.
God’s love consumes me in a cozy cocoon that touches the deepest longings of my being.
God’s infinitely close love for me is a love that transcends all boundaries and breaks through all defenses!
Amen praise Him!!!!
Love this line-“His is the only love that satisfies. To grasp the love God has for me, my feeble hands must reach for the ones that were pierced for my transgressions.” Gwen Smith
Lately…I have been feeling in the pits but instead I ask Jesus to give me a tons of love and dearly well loved every minute.
Hi Gwen,
Ephesians summed it up so well. I need to read it at least three times. Although I have known it by heart for years; it has to settle in.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
That last line just gave me life! All over again.
Let the spirit and the bride say come (Revelations 22:17).
Crystal SH
God is always there for me, even when I am not aware of his presence.
God saw my affliction as he saw Naomi’s distress (Ruth 1:20-21; 4:13-14) and now I have renewed hope and experience the warmth of God’s Love each time I receive a photo or video of or hold in my arms my miracle grandson born December 21, 2017, to my only beloved daughter and son-in-law.
His love is unconditional, he keeps me striving to build my faith, and teach my kids the best I can!
He Loves Me Anyway !!
God loves me for me; He knows all about me. He does not require any conditions because His love is unconditional. There’s no if’s or and’s, His love stands even when I fall. I’m grateful for his lovingkindness, mercies and grace. God is love.
♥♥ God’s Love is so Unconditional! ♥♥
He loves me more than I can ever imagine – always has and always will!
His love is so joyous He sings over me
God loves me completely, knows me intimately, and gently guides me with His wisdom down a path of His choosing!
HIS love for me is the same today as it was yesterday.
God loved me even then, He loves me now, and He will love me for eternity.
Gentle, forever long, deep and very strong ~ His Love.
His is an unconditional love that’s strong enough to lift me up and gentle enough to mend my brokenness.
His love is never ending,He is all I need ,so thankful that He sees me and rejoices
Over me with me singing
In our brokenness God’s unfailing love heals our heart.
Even though I have had a difficult time understanding love here on earth, I understand that God’s love for me has no boundaries and I am learning to accept His Loving Grace!
God’s love for me fills all the broken places in me and in so doing assures me that I am enough!
My Abba Fathers love… more fulfilling & covering to my very core, than I can ever really grasp!
When I lay my burdens at the foot of the cross, I can see Jesus’s compassion for me on His face and hear Him say “You are worth it. “?
God loves me in spite of my flaws and went to the cross to cover me and proves His love for me everyday!
Two words: His Son!
God’s love is personal, exceedingly sufficient, merciful and full of grace!
For every tear that I shed my loving poppa god wipes it away.
Gods love Is my guide, my refuge, and my strength that leads me to peace.
In my weakest moment, I have only experienced God’s unfailing love for me and I have come along way, I can only give Him the glory and honor everyday since I am a living proof of His amazing love!
God’s love is a rushing river whose course will draw me closer and closer to Christ, molding and transforming me smoothing my rough edges as I go.
Daily as I live, I wake up to many wonders; God of many wonders working wonders in my life through His love.
Daily as I live, I wake up to many wonders; God of many wonders, working wonders in my life.
Jesus loves me unconditionally !!!
Jesus loves me unconditionally !
He loves me with an everlasting LOVE !!
Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
He loves me with an everlasting love !!
Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
God’s love for me is evident by Jesus death on the cross!
Warm & fuzzy peace & love…thank You heavenly Daddy!
My life is living proof of God’s unconditional love and the amazing power of prayer!
The Shepherd, seated, the wayward one, seated, on the ground, leaning on His lap, everlasting comfort, always and forever, He is our best friend.
God cared enough about me to save me with His love and mercy and He will always help me, love me and free me from a life of sin and bondage.
God loves me for me, not what I do or don’t do He just loves me for me and I am so thankful.
Congratulations Sharon!
Your post was randomly selected to receive a FREE
digital download of my latest music {My Strength, My Song}. Please
contact my ministry director for further instructions. Blessings! (kim@GwenSmith.net)
God’s love is so deep, so rich, so overwhelming, loving me no matter what…. no matter what…He engulfs me with open arms calling me to Him, always….no mater what…… no matter what.
ps… I am a middle child as well. # 4 out of six. middle girl.
God’s love pursues me, He wants me to allow His love to saturate and permeate every part of my being
God’s love is higher than the tallest mountain & deeper than the deepest ocean!
God created me with a purpose and HE loves me now and forever
Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so. And God loves me too! Sorry not too original but it was the first that came to mind.
I felt worthless my whole life then one day after a long journey with Jesus He whispered in my ear” I love you” I cried as I said “I believe you Jesus” and for the first time in my 25years of being saved I really did believe Him and my life hasn’t been the same since…my greatest testimony is that He loves Me
To summarize even when we were yet sinners and still sinners, the mighty Lord will still love us with mercy, truth, and long-suffering because He wants us to love Him and trust in Him.
Even in my sin, past present and future, He continues to love me with the same joy as when I first believed. Thank you Jesus
God’s love is unconditionally perfect through all my imperfections. He is the glue of my heart!
Jesus died for me, that’s Love
Gods love for me makes me so full of gratitude for His greatest gift, His Son Jesus, who is my Redeemer, thank you God!!
God’s love is Unconditional!
God’s love is perfect–his love for me, his delight for me–Fills Me UP!
God’s love for me is all-consuming, all-powerful, and all I will ever need!
I know that no matter what I’ve done or not done, no matter how far down I fall into depression, God will hold me tightly in His arms and love me, accept me and forgive me — just as I am — imperfect but LOVED.
God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace and proof of His love for me.
I breathe God in and in return he refreshes my soul!
~Linda
God’s wondrous love flows over me like a refreshing spring that washes, refreshes and enables me to step forward in His strength and courage.
May I be always satisfied with my precious Lord’s love.
God loves us so much, that he promises to forgive AND NEVER again even think about them; wee must humble ourselves, trust in Him, and ask..
We can never love God as much as He loves us. He has given us the chance to love like He does through placing Jesus in our hearts and we must let Him do His will.
No matter what happens in my life the good and the bad , God is always with me and lovces me no matter what.
Congratulations Judy!
Your post was randomly selected to receive a FREE
digital download of my latest music {My Strength, My Song}. Please
contact my ministry director for further instructions. Blessings! (kim@GwenSmith.net)
Thank you. I am having a very bad year.
How do I contact your director?
Her email is kim@gwensmith.net
Blessings!
God is my Soul and my blood. Marion
God, Your love pursues me and finds me in the midst of the noise and quiets my soul so that I can hear you rejoicing and singing over me, melting my defenses, my worries, my fears, assuring me that You hear, You see, and You know — and You’ve got it.
God’s love, His amazing power, helps me to be spiritually
strong and healthy, in order to love myself and others so I
can be changed in order to represent Him the way He
needs me to.
Alice
It’s all about His love, Alice. Great statement, friend.
God loves me so much He leads me to green pastures and carries me through the valleys.
Yes. Yes. Yes. 🙂 #amen
God loves me no matter what I have done, thought, or said and he loves me as if I am the only person in His Kingdom to love. P.S. I am the middle child of five in eight years also…love it.
My kindred sister!! Love that, Karen. 🙂
I can’t walk on water but I can walk through fire and it is God’s love that leads me through it everytime, all the time.
Brilliant, Tina. Love this so much. Great statement.
Congratulations Tina!
Your post was randomly selected to receive a FREE digital download of my latest music {My Strength, My Song}. Please contact my ministry director for further instructions. Blessings!
(kim@GwenSmith.net)
God’s love for me for all of us is unconditionally intentional.
Yes! Love it. #truth
Simply put, God is love; He loves me with all that He is, no matter what!
So true!
The God of creation who never rests, never worries, and is always “abounding in love” sings over ME! One of my favorite verses to think of our great God singing over his children.
Love this, Emily-Anne! Amen. 🙂