Undoctrinated Daughter

“God is love…” 1 John 4:8

God is . . .

Thoughtful and thought provoking. The youngest was at it again with her questions about humanity and human kindness. “Like, momma, what if we were all just nice to each other and didn’t care what someone else wore or did? What if, momma, someone just wants to wear their costume every day – they can still play, right? I think it’s cool if someone wants to do that. I would never be mean to someone for being different than me or my friends. I would invite them.” I sat and smiled as she talked on and on and on about kindness, love, and compassion as though they were the easiest things in the world. But, of course, with the lens of Christ, they are. Jesus implores us to become like little children so we may enter the Kingdom of God. Every day, I am humbled to see this in my little one. She is thoughtful of others, mindful of others, and asks questions that continue to point us back to Christ. Like, what if we all just came to Christ (and each other) like little children?

Joy. There were so many beautiful moments this month that kept reminding me of where my joy is. From finding the perfect tree, to games with cousins, and face painting and tinsel, He was and is where the joy is. In so many simple words and actions, I kept seeing and hearing the Father – laughter, tears, teasing, jokes, a kind smile, a comforting hug – God just kept showing up in the most simple forms of joy. I had the beautiful privilege of sharing with a young adult ministry, and their simple smiles and forms of worship encouraged my heart to be steady and firm in Christ. Their seeking and desire for authentic worship and community was a testament to my own middle aged heart that we are all (as Christ seekers) searching for the love and joy of Christ in others, and when we choose to recognize His love and to live loved – we find our authentic joy in Him. He is joy.

Protector. God is our protector. He is our shelter and our refuge. He is King. As I sent the oldest on her first driving excursion without momma bird as her copilot, I remembered to Whom she belongs . . . and it’s not me. Sure, I get to borrow her as she navigates through this life on this side of heaven, but fully and completely she belongs to the one who knit her together before she was even a thought. I know that in ALL things, He will be glorified. He is our protector and comforter on the best days, the bad days, and all the days in between, and for that, I will be forever grateful that I can live a life without fear of the unknown and instead live in confidence of His good and faithful plans. He is our faithful protector.

Steady. He is so steady and so faithful. As I watch my husband navigate providing and remaining steady in where God currently has him, I am reminded that God is our steady. In all the seasons of life, He is the one who remains steady. I watch as our son emulates not only his father but our Father in his steadfastness and discipline and courage. It is not easy to do the right things always, but always, we must do the right thing. Time and time again, I have watched these men of God choose to do the right thing for the sake of others rather than for the sake of themselves. They remain steady, just as the Father is steady. Steady, ready, and willing.

Love. God is love. From a heart shaped leaf on the floor of the hallway, to the outpouring of mercy and grace for a family who lost a loved one, and a simple hug and “thanks, mom” from a child, God’s love has graced all of my days. These recent reminders remind me of Who God is – He is love. God sent his Son for the world – the world He loves. In a world we can’t help to complain about, we forget one key scripture, “For God so loved the world, He sent his one and only son. . .” God is love. How can we possibly deny that if God sent His son for a sinner like me, then He most definitely sent him for a sinner like you, and your neighbor, and the difficult coworker, and the slow driver, and the rebellious child, and, and, and, and, and. . .

Remember Who God is. Remember He chose you. Remember. . .

God is love.

And He loves you, friend.

XOXO, Loni – fully loved and in love