He Loves Me. ? He Loves Me Not. ?
Blast from the past! Did you ever take a flower (usually a daisy or a rose) and proceed to pluck off one petal at a time and repeat the words “He loves me; He loves me not”? Playing that little game represented the truth between whether that cute boy loved us or not. I don’t know if guys played that game like we girls did, but I just know we were motivated by our longing that he would like us and that little flower game gave us hope.
In my case, when that cute, black haired, brown eyed boy paid me some attention, I started saying “He loves me; He loves me lots!” My hope became a reality!
Now I segue to a love that is a much bigger deal than the attraction we had for that cute guy! God is crazy in love with us. Proof-positive is found in John 3:16 “For GOD SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (that’s YOU and ME) believes in Him, will never perish but have eternal life.” Jeremiah 31:3 emphasizes His love, even more, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever!” And, as in that beautiful old song, “The 12th of Never”, FOREVER is a long, long time!
Back to that flower game. How often do we play it with God’s love – when we doubt Him and we question His plans for us? It’s like this:
I get a flat tire – He loves me not.
I get a job promotion – He loves me.
I sprained my ankle – He loves me not.
I get a check in the mail I wasn’t expecting – He loves me.
I drop my cell phone and the screen cracks — He loves me not.
I am given a new cell phone – He loves me.
No matter how our day goes or even how our life goes – no matter the ups and downs – the sweet surprises or the disappointments — no matter whether we feel sad or glad; God’s love is unconditional (unlike those cute boys who were here today, and gone tomorrow). God is with us. He has plans for us beyond our greatest imaginations. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Let’s throw away those flowers and emphatically believe and know “…how deep, how wide and long is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18).
HE LOVES ME! ?? HE LOVES ME! ?? HE LOVES ME!