“I Have Loved You With An Everlasting Love”

It’s my third in a “Best of Pastor’s notes” series this morning, my friends. And it’s my final message to you after 10 years here. I think there could be nothing better than to highlight the following topic as I say goodbye. I think you’ll agree. This note is from July 13, 2003 when my little girl was just 4. (They grow up too fast. Amen?)

“Theresa is just so cute. We were out in the backyard the other day. And living near Hwy 108 like we do with the way things echo in the Willow Springs valley area, every emergency vehicle that goes by sounds like it’s next to your house. And sure enough, as we were standing in the backyard, lo and behold, a fire engine fired up all of a sudden with it’s horns blaring. And Theresa reacted. She reached out and was grabbing for my tee shirt. She needed what she thought was protection, but more so it was assurance she was looking for. And so she went to the best source for it (as her little mind would tell her)—her dad. It goes without saying, I did my best to assure her that everything was okay. A few moments later Theresa was back at play like nothing had happened.

I’d do anything for that little girl. Amen? I’d do anything to protect her, assure her, defend her, rescue her, etc. Even if it meant that I should lose my life trying, I’d still give my life and happily—mine for hers. This is a picture of God with each of us, I’m convinced. He loves us—each of us, individually, like I do Theresa. God would do anything for us. (Isn’t it seen in that He gave His only begotten Son?) We can reach out to the Lord when we’re afraid. (What are you afraid of today?) God won’t scold us when we do or say, “What’s wrong with you?” Rather, He will treat us like I treat Theresa. Do you see God like that in your life, beloved? “‘I have loved you with an everlasting love,’” He says to Israel in the book of Jeremiah (31:3). But it’s a word for us, too. Some of us would do well to immerse ourselves in the fact of how much God really loves us. Take some time to do it. You’ll be surprised. It’ll put a smile on your face, a skip in your step and a warmth in your heart.” Farewell.