God.Loves.You.

You have heard these words often, but to a young teenage girl, born into a dysfunctional family, living in the wrong side of town, they were the words which were the catalyst for decisions that affected her life, and those of many others. She heard the words from a respected and trusted Godly lady, but instead of hearing the word ‘you’, she recognised the words ‘God Loves me’. It wasn’t too long after that exchange that this little urchin fell into the grace of God, and the love that was hers to claim.

At the time, these words were spoken in general to a group of girls at a church club, not as a sermon or gospel message, but in open conversation. This older lady had a motley group of girls in her care just once a week, and she loved every one, and coveted them for the Lord. The others in the group also heard the same words, but this time, and for this teenager, these words were for her, and as though spoken to her alone.

She was one of a large family who had serious social problems, and as the oldest girl had many responsibilities placed on her young shoulders, to her siblings and for her parents, and yet she still loved them all. You could say that she was a modern day Cinderella, but she wasn’t looking for a golden carriage, or a handsome prince because she had found her Lord and Saviour, and that made everything she did worthwhile, and so she carried her duties with a generous smile. Oh what a smile!

Both of the ladies in this story are now in heaven, reaping their just rewards for lives lived for the glory of the God who loved them and accepted them as they were, but who went ahead and changed them from the inside out. I would like to think that eventually the younger girl did meet her prince, get married, live happily, and show her own family, and in turn their families, the loving Christ centred life she never experienced as a child. The legacy of both Godly women live on to this day in the hearts and minds of their families and friends to the first and second generations.

When you speak the words of God’s love, you do not know the impact they will have on a receptive heart, resulting in a Godly influence on others for the duration of their lives. The young teenager who heard those words which changed her life, cannot speak for herself, but those who were touched by her life can. She died as she lived, in the safety of the love of God. Her God. And all because she heard the words, “God.Loves.You”. She was more than happy to live and love the Words in 1 Peter 4:7,8: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Can you call Him your God too? Has He covered your sins by His love? Her little Sunday School Bible was tear stained around some of her favourite verses in John 14:1-3 where we are all assured: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” That promise has now been claimed, and her reward is being reaped now and forever in Glory along with all those who have gone before, and yes, the ones who will join her and their Saviour for eternity. Amen and Amen to that promise.