A Daily Devotion for Friday, August 21

Luke 18:15-17

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Matthew 7:11

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Today I am also preoccupied with thoughts of my children, but they are all grown. Our youngest son is getting married tomorrow! I remember those days when each of our three children was a tiny baby. It was, indeed, exhausting at times. But the love!!! It felt too big to handle. But that same love only grew larger and richer over the years. I have trouble imagining God’s love for me sometimes. Not because I feel deprived, or lack anything, but because God is a very different parent than I could ever hope to be. His powerful love is on a supernatural level. Now that I think of it, though, there is a similarity: I would lay down my life for any one of my children. I would have laid down my life at any point in time since my first child was born. God laid down His life for me, with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously, this is a very different thing, but God gave up a part of himself, to save all of his children, past present and future. I believe in Jesus Christ, and I know this to be true.

Holy Lord, I am thankful for your love and your sacrifice for me. May I do your will always, and fight to remove any hold on me which pulls me away from you. Bless our family, I pray, and bless Nora’s family, as we come together for a beautiful wedding weekend. Amen

Becky, transforming