I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
A picture really can communicate more than words. Something about seeing my littlest girl act out her love makes it real, concrete, substantial. As many parents do, we've modified our "I Love You" motions into a game. Once Carynne starts, I respond with a like pattern adding two fingers at the end (I love you too).
She subsequently holds up three fingers and on we go until we run out of fingers. One day in an attempt to trump me with the volume of her love she held up two zeroes followed by a one (her way of saying 100). My insides melted with the warmth of her love.
Just like Carynne, my love is made real, concrete, substantial when I act it out.
When I'm tired at the end of a long day, do I love 0-0-1 or 1-0-0?
When I'm mired down in the endless jobs of cooking, straightening and washing, do I love 0-0-1 or 1-0-0?
I want to love my family with abundance. Abundance is supplied from the One who loves me first and most. Abundance is given one day at a time. Abundance spills from His heart into mine. Abundance from the One whose love can not be numbered.
How cute! I love this story and the comparison with God's love for us. My son said: I love you many hundred thousand. In Dutch it sounds so touching. Thank you so much for sharing this and tell your girl she looks very good.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I bet you love him a hundred thousand too!
DeleteShe's a doll. My little guy told me he loved me all the way to heaven. Love that!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about Solomon's request for wisdom and how not even that godly request bore 100% godly fruit. A better request would have been to ask for love. That's my request of the Lord. Make me the most loving woman I can be--loving of Christ and loving of others. That desire changes my perspective on everything. Your post reinforced that desire of my heart. Thank you.
Melanie, I love that request - so honoring to Him and really what issue can being more loving not solve?
DeleteHi Shannon - its exhausting but rewarding to love with abundance. And God is the greatest example of all. Great post Shannon
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thanks, Tracy. I was at soccer Sunday and chatting with a friend who grew up in South Africa. I thought about you and am so thankful for who you are!
DeleteYou've shared a very touching story of unconditional, abundant love. Something that is priceless and given to us each and every day by our Father in Heaven. So neat that you and your daughter express that love to each other in such a charming way.
ReplyDeleteWith my teen girls, I squeeze their hands three times. We get into squeeze wars and I LOVE it. So thankful even my teens still love their momma but more importantly their Jesus!
DeleteHow adorable, I love you can bring sunshine on a rainy day. Thanks for sharing.#voiceboks
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for your visit! It added sunshine to my day!
DeleteNo matter what happened that day, when my child tells me that he loves me, it makes my day. Very sweet. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth. The love of a child is so pure and sweet. :)
DeleteSo sweet! Your family is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you. We feel so abundantly blessed to have so many sweet girls.
DeleteThank you Jesus for the abundance of your love! Sweet post Shannon :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi, isn't cool to think about how His love never runs out. His emotional tank never runs near empty. Love it!
DeletePraise God for His perfect love! It's so wonderful to see our children learning alongside us. So sweet Shannon girl! ~ Blessings, Amy
ReplyDeleteAmy, I think watching my kids become more like Jesus is one of His very greatest blessings!
DeleteHow sweet! Every night I sing 18 month old Poppet to sleep with "You are a promise" and "You are my sunshine". Everytime I hit the line: "You'll never know dear, how much I love you" even if she is mid nursing, up will come her index finger and thumb (she hasn't quite figured out the entire I love you sign yet). How precious these moments are! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Joy
http://www.PardonMyPoppet.comm
Oh Joy, that is just precious! What a little sweetheart!
DeleteI love moments like this! Sometimes it's hard to give 100% of ourselves through love, but in moments like you've shared, it's like there's an infinite amount of love to be had and to be given... which is the Truth! We sometimes just get caught up in "reality" and forget that it's always there for us to tap into :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, Jenn, love your insight. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteAw, beautiful message. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a special day with all my sweeties. How was yours? :)
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