Don’t make things too complicated.
Sometimes we get all theological and lofty about spiritual topics. In our efforts to understand, we complicate simple truths, making them seem difficult. Loving God with all your heart is a simple thing. It is what we were created for and when we love God we fulfill our purpose.
Love God with the heart of a child.
I remember the smell of the chunky crayon as I drew a big red heart on my paper. I am in second grade and Mrs. Pierce is my Sunday School teacher. She is nice, laughs often, and wears pointy glasses. Ruth Ann sits next to me and her heart looks better than mine, neat with all the crayon strokes going the same direction. My coloring is wild and scribbly with an energy that won’t stay in the lines.
It’s all about the heart.
“Do you know why we are drawing hearts today?” Mrs. Pierce asks. With the ease of a woman who enjoys children, she tells us the greatest thing we can do is to love God. She reads from the big Bible in her lap: “The Lord our God is one Lord;  and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength‘” (Mark 12:30).
Pressing the crayon harder into the paper, I color faster as I listen. Even at seven years old, I know there was something special about these words.
“Love God with all your heart” is etched into my mind with the memory of those second grade Sunday school days.
I am still learning how to love God with all my heart. You see, loving God is the journey of a lifetime and there is always more to learn, more pictures to reveal, more depth to plumb. [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#loveGod”]Loving God is a never ending discovery if we will keep seeking to love Him more.[/tweetthis]
Loving God with the heart of a mother.
Years later, I am no longer the child and my perspective shifts dramatically the day I become a parent.
I look down at a tiny hand, fingers curled around my index finger with a strength that surprises me. I am stunned by the sheer miracle of holding this long awaited baby in my arms for the first time. Nothing could have prepared me for the pain of the delivery or the awe of experiencing the wonder of new life. He is just minutes old and his first frantic cries have settled. Maternal love wells up strong with a weight that is a glimmer of the glory of God.
In the days that come, my husband and I admire his itty-bitty toes and the wide-eyed alert expression in his eyes. He is a wonder. “Seems like he has always been with us, ” my husband says with that I-can’t-believe-this-is-really-happening excitement of a new father.
Yes.
Simple inspiration to love God with your whole heart.
We love him fiercely, just because he is our son. This love has nothing to do abilities, personality, or looks. We didn’t have to grow into this love or warm up to it in any way. We love him simply because he is our son.
I pat his back as he sleeps on my shoulder, his cheek warm against my neck. In this moment, I begin to understand a deeper layer of the Father-love of God. Though I have known God is my Father since I was seven, now I understand in a fresh way that I am loved because I am His child.
I shake my head as I realize how many times I have struggled to believe this simple truth.
God loves me because I am His child.
My looks, personality, abilities, performance, or behavior do not earn God’s love any more than I would wait to love until my son is old enough to help with the chores or even be able to express his love for me.
How do I love God the most?
“How do I love you more than this baby in my arms, Lord?”
I know I am supposed to love God above all else, but in this moment, I’m not sure how. How do I love a God I cannot see more that the family than I interact with everyday? More than this helpless infant in my arms?
The fact that I am asking the question hints at the answer.
As my son sleeps, I write the question in my journal, ready to wrestle with it. Words scratching across the page, God brings forth a new insight through the words I write.
Let your love for your child teach you a deeper love for Me. Enjoy the gift. Learn from the gift, but always let the gift turn your heart to the One who is the Giver. Experience your love for others in the context of My love for you.Â
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Funny you should mention the “love all” scripture. It’s been mulling around in my mind and heart lately as well. Your description of the little girl “you” coloring breathed the scripture back to life. And the correlation with our own children? It adds a whole new dimension. Enjoyed your writing and the visit with you today, Ginger, from #coffeeforyourheart.
It always amazes me how the Holy Spirit can revitalize familiar concepts in fresh ways. Writing this post did that for me as well. Thank you for visiting today Kristi. Many blessings to you.
I loved this line: God loves me bec I’m His child.
So true and I forget to often. And I’m praying my girls (3!!) will most of all know and understand just how much God loves them- we are His conduit – but thankfully, He makes up for my lack. Eph. 3 – 17 – 21
blessings from welcomeheart
What a blessing to have three girls! I join you in praying God will help them to catch a life-changing glimpse of how very much He loves them. Thank you for joining the conversation today, Sue!
Such a wise perspective, Ginger. The love I have for my children has often reminded me of the love my heavenly Father has for me and for others, on a level I can’t begin to comprehend. Thank you!
Blessings friend. I’d love to be able to meet your kids someday. Yes, our families are glimpses into the powerful love God has for us as well as can inspire our love for Him. Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts today!
Such sweet relief and peace knowing that above all else, God wants us to love Him. More than our obedience or anything we could do for Him. Such a simple thing. Oh, to always have the faith, love, and excitement of a child!
Yes, yes, and yes! Kids really inspire me when I see so many spiritual truths demonstrated in their joy and love. May God bless you with simple faith of a child!
Sweet and simple reminder for this girl who loves to complicate everything!
You do not complicate everything, my friend! But I know what you mean. Yes, sometimes simple pictures and illustrations stick with us in a really productive way. Blessings to you as you continue to draw close to God and rely on him.
What a beautiful post, Ginger. It inspires me to have a fresh new perspective about how I love God (and how He loves me). Thanks so much for this!
As usual, I love your beaufiful images too. They are so share-worthy, so you know what I’m doing next: sharing, sharing, sharing. 🙂
I’m so glad the images speak to you. I think we need fresh perspectives and that is the beauty of the body of Christ. When we share what God is speaking to us, we encourage and refresh others. I know I need fresh perspectives, and that is one of the things I love about your blog, Marva!