RECEIVING LOVE
- Feb 26, 2024
- 2 min read
The Upper Room Devotion for Monday, Feburary 26, 2024, was written by Mary Foulger of Ontario, Canada.
Scripture
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:31-34 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
I remember the first time anyone told me they loved me. When I was a child, my parents showed me love - they provided me with a home, fed and clothed me, bought me presents, looked after me when I was sick, and took me on trips when they could afford it. But they never actually said the words I love you. They were probably never told that they were loved as children either. As wonderful as my parents were, I doubted their love when I was younger, wondering if their kind actions toward me were motivated by a sense of duty.
The first person who told me they loved me was Ruthie, a three-year-old child from the church I was attending. I did not know how to respond. How could a three-year-old whom I barely knew tell me she loved me when my parents couldn't? Ruthie could tell me that she loved me because her parents had demonstrated and spoken of their love for her.
It is vitally important to know that we are loved - especially to know we are loved by God. Sometimes I sit quietly before the Lord, open my hands, and say, "Jesus, I receive your love. Father, I receive your love." And as I receive love from God, I can pass that love to others both through actions and words.
Author's Prayer
Thank you, Father, for sending your son to die for us, not out of duty but out of love. We open our hearts to receive your love today. Amen.
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