his great love!

By Joyce Pelletier

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are? The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 

Our Tuesday Bible Study has been going for some time. When we share, we began to realize that we, too are children of God. Each week we share with each other and when we don’t understand something, we talk it out. 

God give each of us wisdom. Our blessings come from sharing our lives together in helping each other find the way through the hard days. We learn not to call them “bad” days just hard. As close to impossible, we struggle going through a tough challenge and yet, somehow, we get through. 
At the end of our study each week we pray for our loved ones. God uses each of us to be some kind of support for the others. 

Two words came to mind to me most recently. The first is “lavished.” It has been a special time of receiving God’s ‘grace’ at just the right moments. Lavish is a word that reminds me of wealth. Not in a monetary sense, but in the fact that God helps us to get deeply personal with our lives and with each other. In going through this, we experience the care we have for each other. 

The second word is “predestined.” This is a word that used to scare me. It’s kind of like when I was growing up, my family was poor. Barely getting the monthly bills paid and wearing second-hand clothes. We thought life would always be like that. So, thinking of the word Predestined, it made me think more of being cursed, than blessed. 

When I finally let Jesus lead my life, I now know better. It means that He knew us before the seed of our life was planted. He knew that on this day I’d be attending a Memorial service of a good friend, who passed away quite unexpectedly. He showed me my friend is ok. She’s in a place of peace and joy. 

Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything, a season that is that of “predestination” and there is nothing to be fearful about. My go-to verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. 

He lavishes me with his grace when I most need it, and He knew all along what I would go through in my life and the good news is He is always with me to keep me focused.

I pray for your grace be poured out to all who receive you. I pray that when it’s time to speak, you give me the words. When It’s time to act, give me the courage. Turn my reluctance into enthusiasm to share your love with others.