UNconditional Love

Please Welcome Guest Barista, Mary Hess, to the Cafe!

Lamentations 3:22-24 – The Message

“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”

I'm tired - worn out actually. This has been a crazy week. You know the kind - busy from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning until you lay your head down late, late, late at night. You can't even rest well because your mind is still active while you sleep. So those crazy dreams come. Yeah - the mixed up ones that make no sense. You think "If only this week were finally over, I could calm down and rest."

Busy.

Have I opened my Bible this week to read? Nope.

Have I spent any quality time with God this week? Nope.

And my mind says, "Whoa Mary! You are not doing well on the 'Great Christian Scale' this week. God is probably not very happy with you right now. Don't even think about trying to get Him to show up and help you with that problem. You haven't shown up for Him."

But if there’s one thing I know is true it is this: God Loves Me! He LOVES me! And His love for me isn't conditional.

Now, don't get me wrong. I need to pray. I need to read my Word. Those things help me with my Christian walk. Should I do it every day? Well, I can't say that there is a strict rule for it anywhere. But I will tell you this: When I go a few days and don't communicate with my husband, it sure makes for some strained times. If I don't communicate, how will he (Shannon) know my thoughts, my feelings, my problems, etc? How can we grow in our relationship if there is no intimate, bonding time? So yes, it's extremely important. And we should want to spend time like that with God.

What I'm talking about though is getting the concept, grasping the reality, that God loves us as much today as He did yesterday and as He will 50 years from now. His love for us never changes.

And when we miss a day of intimate time, it’s wonderful to know that every day we get a new chance to start fresh. The Bible tells us that God's mercies are new EVERY morning and His faithfulness is great toward us. Isn't that just awesome?! Even when I'm at my lowest and sometimes honestly don't make the effort to 'do this thing' God still loves me and wants me to succeed.

So I challenge you this week to ask Him to help you understand His unconditional love for you. If, like me, you have a hard time believing it, just tell Him. I can assure you it won't take Him by surprise.

Father, so many times I find myself just wanting to ‘get it right’ instead of just being with You. Thank You for understanding me even when I can’t understand myself. I know You love me unconditionally. Please help me to believe it. Thank You for being so faithful to me. Help me to stir up the passion inside of me that will cause me to look for You every day. I want to be with You. Amen.

In Him,

Mary Hess

Mary can be reached at: www.maryhess.com or maryhess2003@gmail.com