1 John 3:1 calls believers children of God. His love for us brings us into the family of God. We are chosen and adopted by Him. God’s love is not dependent upon our behavior or our faithfulness. He loves us unconditionally. We can’t make Him love us more or love us less. His love never changes or ceases, it is steadfast. He shows us His love through His son Jesus Christ. Paul says in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Love is who God is. It is His nature. The gift of salvation reveals His love. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Cut out a heart for each individual family member. Write each person’s name on a heart. Get a lock and label it “God.” Put a hole in the top of each heart and attach all the hearts to the lock. Close, secure the lock, throw away the key. Then say, “Nothing can separate God from the love He has for ______ (speak each family member’s name).
1 John 4:8 tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Scripture tells us our God is love. The cross is the place where the greatest act of love occurred. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” This is great news. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Lori Wildenberg, national speaker, licensed family and parent educator and parent coach, is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime. She is the author or co-author of five books. Lori’s most recent book The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connection was recently released. She loves working with moms and dads to assist them in their quest to be the best parent they can be. Lori and her husband Tom have four young adult children. You can find Lori on Facebook and on Instagram. For more information or to sign up for Lori’s weekly Eternal Moments blog go to loriwildenberg.com .
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Maria Korneeva
