How big is love? That is a crazy question, because we all know that love doesn’t come in sizes and it truly cannot be measured. Love is beyond measurements and it affects us in so many ways. We cannot describe the impact that love has in our lives. But we can tell when love is missing. Too often in the world around us, love seems to take a back seat to schedules and conflicts and our own self-interest. But love isn’t about us, it is truly beyond us. Sometimes, we find that hard to comprehend. Just like we struggle to comprehend God’s limitless love for His children. It doesn’t matter how often we hear the words of John 3:16; they never grow old. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” These words tell us of God’s unconditional and limitless love. This is a verse that makes us feel great. We all want to be loved, and here we are reminded very simply and plainly that we are!
God’s love is huge, and it has no conditions! That kind of love is beyond our comprehension. I know there are times that I question how God could continue to love me when I disappoint Him over and over. I don’t understand how He can, but at the same time, I don’t have to! I simply must accept His love and be blessed through it. It is my prayer for each one of us that we could learn to love in this same way; unconditionally and unending. Perhaps a story I read recently can teach us of that unconditional love.
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 a.m.
The nurse took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. She saw him looking at his watch and decided, since she was not busy with another patient, she would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so she talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, she asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told her no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
She inquired as to her health. He told her that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As they talked, she asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who He was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
She was surprised, and asked him “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled as he patted the nurse’s hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know her.”
The nurse had to hold back tears as he left, she had goose bumps on her arm and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
God loves us no matter what and wants nothing more than for us to love Him in return. I pray we will learn to love in this manner and when we do God will receive all the glory!
Pastor Michael Tunnell
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