God’s love is unconditional

On one especially beautiful spring day, I met a friend of mine at the park for a brisk early morning walk. The sky was brushed with gorgeous light blue hues. Sparrows flew overhead as we walked along the country road. Then, the birds disappeared into the distance. The sound of the breeze was rustling the leaves in the trees and as we walked further, and I saw a little rabbit peek out of the green grass and two squirrels chasing each other across the street before us. The wondrously peace-inducing and healing balm of nature soothed our mind and spirit.

Step by step, as we carried on with our walk, my friend confided solemnly, “A few years ago, I went through a great crisis. I began to feel worthless and fearful and struggled to remain strong.” With concern tightening her voice, she fought back the tears that were pooling in her eyes, and she told how she could barely function. Because of traumas in her past, my friend said she had just about given up all hope for her future

I listened to her words. My thoughts were drifting back and forth as to what she would say next.

A few minutes passed, and my friend spoke, “One day while outside in front of my home, I saw a man on a bicycle approaching me from the opposite direction. As he drew near, he called out, ‘God loves you’ and persisted on his way. What a gift! I believe God used this man to bring me a message to fill my empty heart. Thereafter, I felt contented and renewed, as I was reminded of the great love, security and kindness that we find in God.”

From that moment on, my friend’s healing began. A certain amount of calm came over her, and she said, “When I prayed I could hear God saying, “I am here and I care.” Daily, she clung to her faith and slowly her anxiety and fears disappeared. She explained she felt a renewed purpose. It was the hand of God working and, once again, she has an excitement for life.

In wonderment, I responded, “What a lovely testimony.” Then, I said softly, “We must all be secure in the knowledge that God loves us.”

Maybe you used to be excited about life. You were enthusiastic about your plans and passionate about the future. But along the way, you could have had some struggles, faced unjust circumstances or stumbling blocks and the many dreams you once had seem to be slowly fading away. Now, you may think that God has failed to remember you, and you don’t know what to do anymore. But God has not forgotten about you. No matter who you are, where you are now or what has happened in the God loves you. past,

Your Heavenly Father isn’t finished with you yet, for He wants you to have the desires of your heart. So with an empowering and positive outlook, make up your mind to get rid of the guilt, the feelings of regrets, and break the bondages that are holding you back from success. Last week for breakfast, my youngest daughter attempted to make an egg and cheese omelet. But the cheese got stuck to the bottom of the pan, and there were shells in the egg. My daughter didn’t give up or give in sitting back idly because she made a mistake. For mistakes or setbacks happen to the best of us. Without flinching, my daughter tried again. The second time, the omelet came out great.

Sitting at the kitchen table smiling, my daughter uttered to me, “The first time didn’t work out… But the second time it did,” she said, confidently. Just as perennial flowers extend out into view rising again from the ground after the cold, harsh winter, God can give you another chance. Therefore, dream a new dream. Make another plan. Chart a new course. Today can be a fresh

“Forget beginning for you. So, about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. Instead, look at the new things God is going to do.” (Isaiah 43:18).

What you believe, you become. Therefore, don’t plan on defeat. Believe and plan on fulfilling your dreams and goals. With God all things are possible. There is no problem that you cannot conquer, no negative history you cannot overcome, and no dream that you cannot achieve.

A while back, I received a heartfelt note from a reader who wrote, “All my life I was told I wouldn’t make anything of myself. I was very poor, felt unattractive and was never encouraged. Each time I wanted to try something I heard from family members, ‘You can’t do that’ and ‘You don’t have what it takes,’ never allowing me to dream my dreams.”

I continued reading the letter, “But then I read a quote from the Bible. In Joshua 1:8 it says: ‘Don’t be afraid. Be strong, be bold, and very courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ I felt free and realized that God was with me and made me for a divine reason.

So, I made the decision to get out of self-imposed limitations, to stop listening to the condemning voices of others and to start believing in myself. Against all odds, I went to college, received my degree and I am now a teacher inspiring children to make their dreams come true, because with faith in God, we can do anything!”

So stay filled with love, joy and hope. God is watching over you and guiding you. Miracles are in store for your future. Soon, God will intervene and make a way for vic- tory.

Once, I heard a story about British preacher Charles H. Spurgeon. In the lovely English countryside, Spurgeon and a friend were talking and walking together. As they strolled along the rural area, Spurgeon noticed a red barn with a weathervane on its roof. At the very top of the weathervane, was a plaque with the God is love. words inscribed,

Spurgeon thought for a few moments in the enchanting silence of the woodlands. Then, he commented, “Weathervanes are changeable,” he said to his friend, “but God’s love is constant.”

His friend nodded. And after some contemplating, the friend replied, “God’s love is constant, but I think you misunderstood the meaning.” Spurgeon looked a bit confused, as his friend continued, “The sign on the weathervane reveals the truth. For regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.” God sees the best in you. So start expecting good things again. Recognize that many of the blessings you desire are well within your grasp. And as you reach out in faith to an abundant future, God will give you the strength you need to fulfill your Godinspired aspirations.

God hasn’t abandoned you. His mercy is there to help you. Give your cares and worries to God, then go out each day and use your life to be a blessing to others. And be secure in the knowledge that with an everlasting love…God loves you.