Remember His Love

     One quick p.s. on the concert the other night:  It had gotten pretty late by the time Peter had finished homework and had his bath.  I went upstairs to read to him for a few minutes, but as he lay in the bed, he had a faraway look in his eyes.  "What's up?" I asked him. "You look like you're thinking about something."
     "Mom, did you really enjoy the concert?  Did you really think it was good?" he asked.
     This after I had enthusiastically exclaimed over and over again about how much we had loved the concert and how wonderful it was and what a great job they had done and on and on!  What on earth, I thought?  Didn't he get the message?  How many times did I need to repeat how much we had enjoyed it?!
     But he had asked his question with a wistful smile on his face, as it to say, "Yeah, it was great, wasn't it?  I just like to hear you say it all over again!"
     So once more, I reiterated how wonderful, inspiring, fun, and joyful the whole evening had been and how amazed we were at his incredible progress on the trombone (seriously, from where we began, we're talking close to miraculous!).  And Peter just grinned and soaked it all in once more.
     The next morning, he was still basking in the glow.  As he ate his bagel, he told me, "I was just thinking about the concert.  Wasn't it good?"
     I couldn't help but smile.  Sometimes we just need to be reminded, don't we?  Reminded that we matter.   Reminded that we are known.  Reminded that in the midst of this big old, busy world, we are loved and valued and cherished.
     And in case you've forgotten, I just wanted to be the one to remind you: "For God so loved YOU, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
     That's why we celebrate Christmas--because God loved you so much that He planned a rescue mission just for you.  A daring, wild, crazy rescue mission planned by God Himself in which He came Himself... because of His love... for you.  And every Advent, we have one more opportunity to remember, to recall the beauty and wonder and power of His love.  Love in a manger.  Love made flesh in an infant.  Love with the power to save us from our sins and from ourselves and give us abundant, eternal life.  Not dependent on our performance or our perfection or our position, but love solely dependent upon Him and His amazing grace.  Love that says, even when we mess up and miss the mark, "Ah, but you're still the apple of My eye!"  
     So if you're feeling a bit defeated today.  Or overwhelmed. Or inadequate.  Look to the cradle and then to the cross and hear Him whisper, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Lk. 2:11)  For you.  A Savior.  Because of His love.
     To God, our Rescuer, our Savior, be all the glory.