October 6, 2007

• A few weeks ago one of the girls here said to some other kids that she doesn't like me and thinks I'm annoying (in harsh terms).  A couple of the kids then ran over and told me what she had said.  I don't think she expected them to tell me.  I was hurt by her words, but chose not to show it.  I knew she didn't completely mean what she said.  I prayed and asked God for strength to show her love in everything... because I truly do love her... despite what she says about me.  I noticed she was cautious around me after that, knowing that I knew what she had said.  I kept loving her though, treating her the same as I had before.  Now everything is okay again, and I think she understands my love is for real.  I don't love her depending on how good she is.  I love her because God has given her to me in her living here.  She is one of my kids.  And I love these kids so much.  Even when they are bad... the bad things they do, they do hurt me... but I still love them, so deeply.  It is a powerful love... a love that hurts when they fail, but not a hurt that causes anger but a hurt that causes compassion and yearning for them to return.  It is the love God has given me.  And I remember as I was praying hard for a couple boys recently that fought and disobeyed me, and as I was proclaiming my love for them to God despite what they had done, I felt God telling me, "I love you all the more... no matter what happens... I love you."  No matter what mistakes I make... no matter how many times I fail... His love will still be there, in the same powerful way.  Because I am His son.  God knew all the sins and mistakes we would make long before we were ever created.  He knew all our failures.  But He still gave His Son for us.  Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrates His own love to us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Amidst the storm and the failures and the madness of this world, I see Jesus standing by us proclaiming, "I LOVE YOU!!!"  I remember the prodigal son and how joyful and full of love his father was when he returned.  Its a powerful love... a love He has proven to me time and time again. 

  Chris Tomlin - Mighty Is the Power of the Cross

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