Love ~ Because He First Loved Us

This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to re-post something I wrote and shared on the blog last year. Although my life looks a lot different this year in terms of romantic love & answered prayers, the love notes I receive from God are still what satisfies my soul.
xoxo, Allison

“We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19”

When I was in elementary school and junior high, I brought my lunch to school. My mom would sometimes include little handwritten notes along with my lunch. Although I pretended like they weren’t a big deal, those notes meant the world to me. I still remember that feeling of being completely loved, knowing I truly belonged to someone.

It’s the same type of peace I feel when I read verses like:

The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.

~Zephaniah 3:17

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

~I John 3:16

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

~Lamentations 3:22-23

As a single woman, Valentine’s Day always held this power over me. Being alone, I felt disappointment and emptiness. This year, I’m so grateful that God has filled me with love. Because I know I’m unconditionally loved by him, I can celebrate love and share that love with my friends and family. If you’re also alone on this holiday, I know that a simple “God Loves You” isn’t going to make it all better for you, especially when everyone else is getting flowers and chocolate.

It took me a very (very!) long time to realize that God’s love and acceptance is the only thing that would fill the void in my heart. I chased romantic love, believing that I would be complete when someone loved me back. I chased success, believing that my value would finally be established with a VP-title. God patiently waited for me to finally understand that he created me to crave his unconditional love.

My mother’s love was something God used to prepare me to understand the greatness of his love. Even if you didn’t have the same kind of experience with your parents, whether you are single or married, I pray that you’ll open your heart to God’s love today and let him show you how much he loves you. If you ask him to show you, I promise he will answer!

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!

Content Copyright 2012. Allison @ Anointed With Grace.

Photo credit: stock.xchng