The Love of God
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39]
"The Broken Angel"
Maggie liked watching big storms. So when the rain was really pouring down
that night, she sat in the front room with the lights off and watched it
safely in her house. Suddenly she saw a small figure walking into their
cul-de-sac. It was a girl. She had no coat on and the rain was soaking her
hair and dress completely. It was clear she was crying.
“Mommy come quick.” Maggie cried out and when mommy saw the poor
girl, she rushed out onto the porch. Maggie came out with her and as she
looked more closely, she suddenly recognized the girl. “Oh Mommy, its
Angie!” Angie was Maggie’s best friend ever and they had been
like sisters since kindergarten.
“Go get her Maggie.” Mommy said wisely knowing that if Angie was
upset, seeing her dear friend first would be the best thing. She watched
her daughter rush to the street and embrace her friend and then lead her
back to the porch. As the girls approached, mommy went inside and got some
blankets to dry Angie.
“I ran away Maggie. I am so cold.” Angie said as Maggie brought
her to the house.
“Come in. You will get sick out here.” Maggie said in tears so
afraid for her friend. Angie came in and quickly mommy and daddy were there
drying her hair and warming her. Mommy gave her some of Maggie’s warmest
things to wear for a while and daddy got some of the hot soup they had enjoyed
at dinner and the whole family sat with her and made her feel safe and loved
as she recovered. Angie just looked at Maggie’s mom and dad in amazement
as she sipped her soup and finally the shivering stopped.
“Why don’t you two girls go to Maggie’s room and play so
you can settle down.” Mommy said noticing that Angie wasn’t talking
much with the adults around.
“Why did you run away?” Maggie asked right away when they were
in her room.
“I was so afraid. My mom has a very expensive display of glass angel
statues. Well while they were out today, I took one down the play with it
and I broke its wing. I think it was her favorite and I knew she would be
so mad so I ran away. I was so upset, I didn’t know where else to go
so I came to you.” Angie said crying again.
“I am so glad you came here Angie.” Maggie said hugging her friend.
“Your parents are so amazing. They didn’t act mad that I messed
up their carpet or anything.
“Angie, parents are like that. Your mom and dad are too. Sure, they
correct us. We need that. But your mom and dad love you no matter what.”
Maggie explained.
“Angie, your mom is on the phone.” Maggie’s mommy called.
Right away Angie got scared. Then Maggie’s mommy stepped into the room
holding her hand over the speaker. “She is crying Angie. I told her
you were safe but she wants to tell you how much she loves you.”
Maggie and her mom stepped out so she could take the call. Finally, she
came out sniffling. She handed the phone to Maggie’s mom to talk to
her parents and then turned to Maggie. “She said nothing in the world
was more important than me and she wanted me home in my own room where I
can be safe and with her and daddy.” Angie said looking confused.
When Maggie’s mom finished on the phone she sat down with the girls
and helped Angie dry her tears. Maggie’s daddy came in and sat down
too. “I don’t understand why my mommy isn’t really mad that
I broke her angel.” She told Maggie’s parents.
“Angie, you have to understand something about parents.” Daddy
said. “Your dad and mom love you no matter what. When they scold or
try to teach you, that is part of love because they just want you to grow
up to be all that God made you to be. But their love is unconditional. That
means nothing you can do will make you deserve it and nothing bad you ever
do will ever make them stop loving you.”
“But I don’t understand how they can do that” Angie said
looking to Maggie’s dad for help.
“That’s easy Angie.” Mommy interrupted. “It’s because
that is how God loves us and how God loves you. God is your heavenly father
and he made moms and dad just like him. In fact, God loved you and me so
much, he was willing to let Jesus die on the cross so we can always be in
heaven with him. Your mom and dad would die rather than see you hurt sweetie.
That is the nature of God in them.” She said holding Angie’s hand.
“But I love them so much. I don’t want them to die or get sick
or get old or even be sad.” Angie said emotionally.
“Then let’s get you home to them and when you get there, you hug
them and tell them how much you love them.” Daddy instructed her. “Then
in the future if you do something wrong, you tell them right away and never
ever run away again ok?”
“I promise.” Angie said and then Maggie and her parents drove
her home.
As she ran up to the door and hugged her mom and then her dad. Maggie said.
“It’s too bad about the broken angel.”
But mommy just smiled and hugged Maggie as she watched. “It looks to
me like the real little angel isn’t broken any more and will never
get broken again.”
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [Titus 3:4-7]
