I learn a lot about God’s love through her. She hasn’t accomplished anything for me, and yet I love her deeply. She hasn’t proven anything to me, and yet I am so proud. I just want to be near to her—to snuggle her and to kiss her sweet little nose a million times over.
I love her because I love her. I love her because she is mine.
She’s my little mini me. I see so much of myself in her—both the good and the not-so-good. I see my struggle to be still and my tendency toward busyness. But I also see a little fighter. She’s my warrioress. She fought in utero. She fought in labor and delivery. And I can’t wait to see her fight for God’s Kingdom in her days to come.
She’s made in my image. Just as we were made in God’s (Gen. 1:27). Except unlike an earthly mother’s love, God’s love for us is perfect. He is only good. He has no not-so-good (Psalm 18:30). And He sees His very goodness in us. He also sees our not-so-good, and He loves us all the same (Romans 5:8). As Chris Tomlin sings, “You’ve seen the depths of my heart and you love me the same.”
No matter how deeply and all encompassing my love for her is, it pales in comparison to the love our Father has for us. We cannot fathom how wide and high and long and deep the love of God is for us. And that love remains no matter what we have done—or not done. No matter what we have accomplished—or not accomplished (Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16, John 15:13, Romans 8:38-39). As we reflect on our year behind and ponder our year ahead, may we just sit and rest in that glorious truth.
I know it’s one I need to remember.
