I feel God’s love in the warm rays of sun upon my face at the river-side picnic with my sister and sister in Christ.

I feel God’s love when my Mom holds me as the little spoon as I sob uncontrollably into my pillow.

I feel God’s love when my Aunt, who’s shorter and much smaller than I am, pulls me into a big bear hug and rubs and pats my back as I nestle myself deeper into the crook of her neck.

I feel God’s love when my own niece, taller than me, comes up behind me and wraps me in a hug as she lays her head on my shoulder.

I feel God’s love in the smell of the soup simmering on the stove on a cold and blustery winter afternoon.

I feel God’s love in the room full of laughter at family dinner where everyone is fully enjoying their meal and the company.

I feel God’s love when my Grandpa shares secrets about his life that are full of wisdom and applicable to my current life situations.

I feel God’s love when I’m immersed in a good book, curled up on the couch with my pup on my lap sleeping soundly.

I think, perhaps, we can overlook the ways in which God shows his love. We think that we have to pray first, or worship first, or read our Bible first, and then we will be able to “feel” God’s love.

I recently attended a Women’s Church Retreat and the speaker’s message really touched on how we as women get so caught up in our role as caretakers and providers that we forget that we don’t have to do anything to receive God’s love. He delights in loving us.

“…he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 ESV 

“…[We are] God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” Colossians 3:12 ESV.

 “…Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as [daughters] through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to praise of his glorious grace, which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:4-6 ESV.

Don’t think that you need to do anything to “feel” God’s love. Like the story of the prodigal son, where the son squandered his inheritance and decided to return to his Father’s house to work as a servant because that was better than the situation he was in. When he returned, his Father ran to meet him, through his arms around him in joy and love, and welcomed him back. The son didn’t have to do anything to receive that love, even after he squandered his inheritance. That is how God loves us. We don’t have to do anything, bring anything, or provide any type of service first.  Isn’t that amazing?

The speaker at the conference put it this way. She said, “Daughters of Christ, put on your royal robes and step into God’s love. You are daughters of a King!”

What unexpected ways do you feel God’s love?

 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26