Daily Devotional

As I lift the tight-fitting lid of my 2-lb. box of See’s Candy, I drink in the aroma of chocolate. Feasting on the choices, I select only one. I sink into my comfy chair, as I take the first nibble. The morsel melts in my mouth as my thoughts drift to love.

I fondly remember the look of love in Jim’s eyes as I joined him on the church platform to say our vows to become husband and wife. We still carry the look of love in our eyes for each other after 48 years of marriage. I am blessed by his sweet love.

My foster daughter was eleven years old the first time I saw her. What instantly struck me was her eyes. She had a look of fear and hunger. Hunger for love. She craved to love and be loved. I remember thinking to myself, “Come, let me wrap you up in a big hug. I have more than enough love to fill you up.” I knew she did not trust me yet. But she would. Today she is a member of our family—filled by the sweet love we share!

My thoughts jump to the fireworks of love that exploded in my heart when I looked into the eyes of our newborn baby. My eyes drink in every feature. Her full head of silky hair, smooth beautiful skin, tiny fingers and toes. She is mine! My treasure, my gift from God! My emotions crash from thrilling joy and overwhelming love, to sorrow as I think about the birth mother that gave her baby to us. A year later another birth mother gave us our second precious baby girl. Three years later our third treasured gift was a baby girl also. The sacrifice of these three birth mothers through God’s direction, gave us precious sweet love.

My attention flows to the ultimate sacrifice of love. I recite to myself, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” The supreme expression of love. Oh, the unthinkable price that was paid for salvation! His sweet love waits with open arms for the world to receive! I reflect on the moment I personally prayed to receive His free gift of forever love! When the last chocolate morsel is placed into my mouth, I recall, I John 4:16 “God is love.” I rejoice in knowing the ultimate sweet love! God Himself!

FOR PARENTS:
1. Open up a conversation with your kids about the word, love. We use the word "love" to express a lot of things. Name some examples: food, games, people. A person can even say they “love” a bad thing--like drugs. Challenge their thinking. Is love an action, or a thing? Can love be a person? Let them express their thoughts and guide them.
2. Teach the Biblical definition of love: Love is recognizing the value God places on a person. I Cor. 6:20, “For you have been bought with a price."  I Peter 1:18-19 teaches the price God paid for us was Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  
3. For younger kids: Set up a play store. Have them decide what each item will cost. Then refer back to the definition of love, and the price Jesus paid for us.
4. Select a sweet dessert for your kids that will take a while to eat. (Like an ice cream cone or skittles.) While they enjoy their dessert, talk about the sweet love of God. Talk about John 3:16. Show that love is an action in that verse. Ask, “What did God do to show His love?” Memorize I John 4:16. Point out that God is love.

"English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers."