Post-Valentine's Day Thoughts

I've been reading from The One Year New Testament for Busy Moms. How very appropriate that this week's readings have been from Matthew 26-28, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each day leading up to and including Valentine's Day, I've been reminded of the incredible sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the amazing love behind it.

As a parent myself now, I understand a little more about the unconditional love God has for us. I know there is nothing Jodi could do to make me stop loving her and that helps me understand why God never gives up on me, even though I disappoint and hurt Him time after time. But being a parent also makes me realize how human love still falls drastically short of God's love. I cannot begin to fathom ever watching my child suffer and die unjustly for someone else. Yet that was God's plan for His Son from the beginning. . .to provide a way for anyone to become His child.

As writers and editors of inspirational romance (a Barbour/ Heartsong specialty!), we think and talk and write a lot about love, don’t we? And romantic love between a man and a woman is certainly a God-given gift to celebrate! But as we describe dashing heroes and lovely heroines and the ups and downs of their relationships, the most important message of love we can convey through their stories is this:

“…God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” 1 John 4:8-9