Truly, crazy love

I hear the question asked, "If you saw Jesus on the side of the road- hungry and cold, would you help him?  Would you give him food?  A blanket?  Offer him shelter?"

My answer to this question is OF COURSE!  Its Jesus!  He can have all the food I have.  Take all my blankets and coats.  Here's the keys to my house and car!  What else can I do for you Father?

I always thought this question was a little ridiculous.

Until I got to thinking about it.  We are supposed to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us.  We should give freely unto others as Jesus has given freely unto us.  If I see someone suffering and I have plenty, it is my responsibility to share my wealth among others.  By doing this I am in turn giving to Jesus.

So why is it so hard to give to other people?  I mean sure, if I saw Jesus and I had no doubt it was the Almighty Father...I would have no problem.  Take everything!  But if I see a man, suffering, hungry, cold...why is it so hard not to share with him?  In fact, sometimes its easier to turn away!  Why is this?

Jesus has a truly, crazy kind of a love for us.  He died so that we may live.  We sin and he forgives us and continues to love us in spite of us.  His love strong, runs deep and is faithful.  He does not give up on us and he does not waver.  All he says in return is to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Treat others as he treat us; as we would want others to treat us.

I desperately want to love like that!  I want to love and see people as Jesus looks at us.  If we could all love one another, be there for one another and do for one another what we can't do for ourselves, there would be peace.  It is simply that simple.

So I pray that we all seek this kind of love!  To be truly, crazy in love with Jesus and to be in love with our neighbors.  Isn't that what heaven is going to be like?  Surrounded by love?  I would like to think so!

Jasmine

When God created her up in heaven He pulled her aside and said, "Child, I have a special purpose for you."  And she said, "Yes Father."
He sent her to this earth to be with us.  He chose a special family to help Jasmine fulfill her special purpose.
Through her short 2 1/2 years on this earth Jasmine went through much pain and suffering.  And yet this angel did it with love and a smile on her face.  She brought so many people together and showed us all something unique.  She taught me love, thankfulness and faith.  Lessons I continue to learn over and over.
She left us and went home to heaven, where she was met with love.  God said to her, "Well done good and faithful servant."

I know we don't always understand why He does what He does.  I know for me I have so many questions. But I am learning to listen closely and to pay attention.  He will answer all questions in time.
Thank you to God and Jasmine for teaching me love, thankfulness, and faith.  Just when I think I am going strong in these areas of my life, I am shown I can do better.
Thank you to her parents for sharing her to the world.  Such a precious and beautiful gift you were given.  And even though she is home now, she will be seen again.  Through all of us that were touched by her short life and when we enter the gates to heaven.  I know she will be waiting for us!

Photo taken by Jessica V. of Jessica V Photography

Unconditional Love

I have been reminded recently that there are some people in this life you can't always count on. There are some people that put conditions on what should be unconditional love. A fact that is very sad and heart breaking.

But something I need to keep in mind is that people are human. And humans can only love to the best of their ability.

He is the only One who can truly love unconditionally and He is the only One that knows exactly what that means. I think this is one of the reasons we are supposed to seek Him above all others.

We may not always get the affirmation or edification we are seeking from family or other loved ones. But God's message to us is that we truly matter to Him. He loved us so much that he sent His only Son to die for us. He laid down His life for ours. No other love can compare to that.

This is something I know I need to remember. That when I feel like I am not really cared for or even all that loved. I, in fact, have been given the greatest gift and love of all!