Everlasting Love

I finally have time to sit down and write, and I feel so relieved.  For this blog has been brewing in my heart for a few days now.  A couple of days ago 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 came to my mind and then this morning Jeremiah 31:3 came to me and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  So, I just had to blog.  I can't hold it in any longer.  The 2 verses dovetailed in my mind so vividly that it blew me away.

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 states--Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

And Jeremiah 31: 3 says--I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

As a Christian, a follower of Christ, I am told to be happy, be content, be thankful and to pray.  And pretty much, that's exactly what I do.  I am a happy, content, joyful, prayerful person.  I just am.  I'm sure it has a lot to do with my personality and a lot to do with my relationship with God.  For God created me to be an optimist, and in that optimism, my life overflows with love for my God.  It just does.  There isn't a thing I can do about it.  Even though I know it irritates others at times, it's just how he made me.

In the same respect, I know that God loves me.  He chose me, he died for me, I am his daughter, and he loves me with an everlasting love.  He is kind, and his love has not nor will it ever, fail me.  I know this to be true as much as I know anything at all ever!  I am wondering if "at all ever" should be morphed into one word like nonetheless?  Anyway--I digress.
I am just trying to get you to see things for a moment from my perspective.  I serve a God that allowed his very own son to die for me, that's how much he loves me.  So, I was thinking about this--I don't think I love anyone on the face of this earth that much!  Not to allow my child to die for them.  I'm sorry, I just don't.  Not one of my kids, not ever.  However, in confessing that--I would give my life for someone that I love.  I truly would.  If my husband or one of my kids or grandkids needed an organ, I'd be the first one on the donate list.  That's how much I love them.

So, I believe God when he tells me that he loves me with an everlasting love.  He gave up his son.  There was no crime that Jesus committed, he just volunteered to take my place on that cross.  I am the sinner, and he was (and is) the Son of God.  That brings me to tears every time.  He took my place.  And that fact alone proves to me just how much he loves me.  So yes, it's easy for me.  To feel loved, to feel happy, content, thankful, joyful--these things are not hard for me.  Not one little bit.

Do I go through hard times?  Naturally.  Do things happen to me (and those I love) that I have no control over?  Of course.   But I am told to give thanks in ALL circumstances.  So I do.  And in that quiet prayerful, soul searching, tearful time before God, he comforts me.  He tells me that he loves me and that he has everything under control.  And me?  Well, I believe him.  For he loves me with an everlasting love, and he draws me to himself and he holds me in his great big God arms, and he whispers my name.

 Forever and ever and ever.  Everlasting to everlasting...