Fear No Fear

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, MEV). It is currently in the middle of the night for me. I have been woken up by my littlest one several times now. Her bed was ‘leaking’ because the cold pack she loves to take to bed was making her pillow cold. She said she had a headache – as she came to me soaked in sweat because she was wrapped up in her heaviest blanket like a burrito. Just now she came to me because she was hungry. Which is perfectly normal at three in the morning. Each problem was met with patience, but I admit it was not perfect patience. It was not always the kindest patience. And yes, I have repented of that. Because I am here as a parent to model God’s love to her. To BE patient. To BE kind. Because God is ALWAYS patient with us. I write this while she has something in the other room. I think of today’s verse which affirms God’s love for us and I am grateful that whatever ‘problems’ I have, He listens when I bring them. I am sure that from His point of view they could be considered foolish, possibly in my head, and frustrating in their stubborn refusal to be anything to me but problems. Yet God doesn’t approach me like that. He approaches me with kindness. With patience. With firmness from time to time, but always in love – and with me KNOWING it is love. There is NEVER any confusion. He is never MAD at me and never loses His cool. Never strikes out at me. He is a GOOD Father and a GOOD God. He is MERCIFUL and GRACIOUS. I am VERY grateful that He has the character He has AND that He lends His fruit for my use when my own orchard is either lacking, stunted, or just plain unplanted. He loves me out of my shortcomings and right into His MORE THAN ENOUGH. He is a GREAT God!