Details, details

May/June is tough for me. Within about four weeks’ time, there’s Mother’s Day, my wife’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. That’s a lot of gifts, dinners and planning for gifts and dinners. My wife insists that I needn’t do anything for her, but I insist that I do.

And while I cite my reasons as my love for her, I’ll have to admit that I might perhaps sometimes maybe feel afraid that she won’t love me if I don’t. I know, that’s silly. Insecure, even.

I wonder how often we do things for God thinking that if we don’t, God won’t love us. How many church services, committee meetings or dollars in the collection plate are out of fear rather than love and appreciation?

The temple Solomon built was awesome. Lots of gold and lots of cubits. But he didn’t have to make it awesome to have God love him or Israel, for God promises that God will always love them, always be with them and always be their God. Solomon made the temple awesome because he already knew this about God.

So let’s act out of appreciation and not fear, for God unfalteringly loves us.

God of graciousness, thank you for your unconditional love, and remind us that it will never change. Amen. — NF