Loved beyond measure

Loved beyond measure

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Generally, during the Christmas season, this verse seems to play a dominant role in our lives as these simple words parade themselves across cards, billboards, and Christmas sermons. This is the time of the year that some of us humans celebrate the birth of Jesus and contemplate the gift of God in bringing all men, which believe on him, back into his loving arms. But I am of the belief that God’s love is continuous year round, and is not limited to a particular time of the year.
A couple of days ago I watched a young mother standing around at the bus station, and in her arms, she lovingly cuddled a tiny baby. The small bundle of beauty announcing another generation will continue within her family was the light in the mother’s eyes I noticed. The sight truly brought joy to my heart as I stood observing her gently snuggle her face against the face of the baby while giggling, and playfully kissing the small human being. The hope for her future securely embraced within her arms, on that day her golden face shined brightly, and her large brown eyes revealed no darkness or fear in her heart.
The sun beaming down brightly that day, people appeared to struggle in their movements, and lackadaisical expressions upon their faces acknowledged the intense heat was sucking the vitality out of their physical being. This young mother possessing a liveliness not seen in other reveled in the joy of her young one, and her happiness and exuberant expression made those surrounding her come across as one of the walking dead. For her, on this day she tenderly held the hope of her future, not ever expecting to receive any pain or sorrow from the little one.
The Heavenly Father holds us in his arms like this, and although there might not be any physical evidence of Him actually holding us in His arms, when we believe we can feel God’s love spreading throughout our hearts.  As the warmth of the sun provides life and health to everything upon the earth, the warmth of God’s love produces an abundant growth in our lives and an inward and outward joy to all of His children. This is unexplainable to those who do not possess it, nevertheless, in our private relationships with God, we feel Him snuggling us securely within his arms. Deep within our soul, we relish in the aura of his great love.
1 Tim 1:14 And the grace of our Lord is exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
As that mother holding the young child has dreams of success and happiness for her little one, so does our father God have promising thoughts towards every human being. He places within each man’s heart desires, and He delights in giving everyone their  wishes so that he or she produces fruits of success, abundance, and happiness; not only for the one, but also for those he sends. Although His undying grace and mercy are unfathomable, it is real and present today for the person who dares search for it and seek to find Him.
God is love and wishes that no man suffer, but that all men/women learn to wallow in the sweetness of his great love.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.