THE FATHER IS VERY FOND OF ME

I was blessed this morning by various sharing from Dean, Tom, Marilyn, Becky, Terry and others. I think that God is wanting to get something through to us--to me--through it all. Jesus said it's more blessed to give than to receive, and I find that to be true. It is also easier. . I sometimes think it's easier to love someone else than it is to receive love. It's easier to do for someone than it is to have someone do something big for me.

So, somehow my upbringing (not that it's my parents' fault, mind you) has somehow taught me, deep down, to be ashamed, to feel unworthy, to be less than everyone. And I fear that the church has only underscored that tendency. Somehow it seems more humble and meek to say, "No, I am nobody, I am a worm, I am unworthy, I am but a humble servant." And maybe it is. But that passage in Ephesians 1:3-8 that Dean walked us through says some powerful things that I need to grab hold of.

It says that "In love..." God did all those things "for His pleasure." What a bookends for a sentence! God loves me and takes pleasure in giving me blessings in Jesus.

There are a few people, Dean included, who I believe love me unconditionally. I mean, I really believe that they like me, they like being with me, they would drop whatever is going on and come to me if I needed them. I know there are some people about whom I feel that way myself. Maybe if I can get my heart around that little fact here on earth, I will understand that God means it when He says that He does what He does for me "In love" and "for His pleasure."

"LORD, I want to stop talking to you like I should apologize for interrupting while you have more important things to do. You are infinite, and you have infinite time for me, infinite love for me, and have made infinite sacrifice for me. I am not barely acceptable to you, but I am loved, adopted and you simply like being with me. Let me skip down the road when I am 83 after seing your handiwork, because I know that you made light and colors and cicadas and sounds and beauty to bring me delight, because you are very fond of me. Praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for Your infinite grace! Amen."
-ken