Living to Love

Hello Boys and Girls!! Hope each of you are doing well. Maybe more like normal, it has been a while since any of you have heard from me. I guess the reality is I am not very good at posting anything on a regular basis. I keep thinking that is going to change, but maybe not. :)

I want to share something very special in our lives and then share a few thoughts. Here we go!

Mason and Cecily now have 2 beautiful children. On February 4th, Cecily gave birth to, Micah Todd Mead. Micah is healthy and doing very well. Natalie and I cannot wait to get Atlanta to spend time with Amelia and her brother Micah. Grandkids are such a gift and blessing from God and we now have three.

Amelia was our first, about a year later Liam, Michael and Kimberly’s little boy. That’s not true, Liam is not very little. Now, Micah has joined us. One of my greatest gifts is being blessed with my grandkids. Most of last year, my brain was a little disoriented and my energy level was low. That is getting better and I have more ability to focus on my incredible grandchildren.

Here are a few thoughts. I have too many thoughts every day. These are some keys thoughts I have had recently.

Do you ever wonder how much God loves you and what you have to do to get his love?

Scripture can get a little confusing when we look for information on many things but certainly on the love of God. One of my biggest concerns is this idea that you and I have to earn “the love of God.” That is challenging and typically causes many problems for people and their pursuit of God’s love.

I have been there in the past. Probably a big part of what moved me into full time ministry. Ministry, in my mindset was a great way to earn God’s love. That began to be problematic for me. I began to realize over the years it was hard work to earn God’s love and also began to see, my full time ministry, there was still sin in my life. I was not and never have been, “perfect.”

I love this verse and it has meant so much to me over the years.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1John 4:7

I have spent years and years in God’s word. Not to go teach others but asking for God to teach me and speak to me in His word. That did not happen immediately, but for me personally I began to hear and understand God in many different ways. I am so grateful for that.

Raising 3 incredible children my love continues to grow for them. They were not perfect, but over the years that never took away my love. I am not God. My love is imperfect, but I loved my children.

Today I believe with every part of my being, I am loved by God. My current health condition has never caused me to believe that God is punishing me and does not genuinely love me. There has been so much comfort in that. I don’t for a second like or enjoy my brain tumor. I continue to hold onto God and have received so much comfort from him and have felt His love in many ways.

How about you? Do you still feel like you are earning God’s love and sometimes that feels impossible? If you and I have to earn it we are in big trouble. Knowing God’s love will slowly begin to change your life.

Let me end with this verse.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

“You are each loved and of great value.”

Peace,