How Real Is His Love To You?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

I was meditating on these words from 1 John 3:1 as we celebrated Father's Day yesterday. I have a wonderful husband that is a great dad to our children, and I have an amazing dad myself. They are both caring men who have provided for the needs of their children and have taught them many good things. My husband and my dad are examples to me of God's love, and I have never had trouble picturing God as a loving Father because of them. I know God loves me like that and even more so, but I don't always live as if I believe it. Sometimes God's love seems distant and abstract, but only because I allow it to become less to me than I should. I sometimes think and live as if I'm an abandoned orphan rather than a dearly loved child of God. His love is always there but often clouded by my own unbelief. Perhaps you can relate to feeling less loved by God than you actually are.

I wrote the following poem as a reminder of all the ways God's love is so evident and available to me. No matter what I have done or haven't done; No matter what is going on in my life or around me, I can cling tightly to my Father's love to stay afloat and live in peace, joy, and strength. I hope you are blessed. May you live more completely in God's love for you each day.

How Real Is My Love

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the food on your table

And the home where you dwell

And the clothes that you wear

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the car you drive

And the work you do

And the fun you enjoy

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the friendships you cherish

And the blessings of family

And the place you call home

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the anger you hold

And the regrets you have

And the sins you hide

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the forgiveness I give

And the peace you long for

And the healing I bring

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the loss of someone dear

And the pain you feel

And the loneliness inside

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the Bible in your hands

And the promise of glory

And the hope of tomorrow

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the gifts you possess

And the cry of those in need

And the love you can show

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the needs you have

And the longings of your heart

And the waiting you endure

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the songs you sing

And the cries of your heart

And the truth and the light

Am I real to you like that

How real is My love for you, child

As real as the blessings you have today

And the beauty that surrounds you

And the grace in My eyes

Am I real to you like that