Daily Devotional for April 28, 2021

Yesterday at the church, Laura rushed into my office and said, “There’s a man at the door wanting to know where the funeral is but I know it’s not here because you don’t look that good.”

I explained that we did not have a funeral scheduled and then I asked what she meant by saying I didn’t look that good.

Laura quickly rushed out of my office to tell the man there was no funeral and avoided me for the rest of the day.

This got me thinking.

There are times when we don’t fully understand what others are saying.  That’s because communication is an imperfect art.  Even the simplest of concepts can be confusing.

So, in order to blow away the fog of misunderstanding, let me tell you the most important message of all. It’s only three words but it can change your life, give you a true purpose, and allow you to face any challenge that life throws your way.

God loves you.

That’s it.  These three words bring life where there is death, peace where there is turmoil, and clarity where there is confusion.

No matter what others say or think about you, always remember, God loves you to the moon and back.  That will never change.

As you begin a new day, don’t be dismayed by the things you don’t fully understand.  That’s okay because you understand what matters above all else.  God loves you.  And remember, according to scripture, it’s not that one of God’s attributes is love – God Is Love!

This is what John meant by saying, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”  (1 John 4:16)

Remembering God love me puts Laura’s hurtful, callous, scarring, hard-hearted, uncaring, cold, unfeeling, damaging, wounding, traumatizing, shocking, upsetting, devastating, and distressing words in their proper context.  It’s not that big a deal.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please help me focus on what matters and not worry about the things that don’t.  Help me always remember you love me.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Now that I’ve had a few more minutes to think through Laura’s hurtful, callous, scarring, hard-hearted, uncaring, cold, unfeeling, damaging, wounding, traumatizing, shocking, upsetting, devastating, and distressing words, I don’t think she was trying to be hurtful, callous, scarring, hard-hearted, uncaring, cold, unfeeling, damaging, wounding, traumatizing, shocking, upsetting, devastating, or distressing.

I think Laura meant that I wasn’t wearing a suit and tie.  Or at least, that’s what I am going to pretend she meant.  It’s all good.

Also, just for the record, contrary to what Laura said, I always look good.  I know because I spend a lot of time looking in the mirror.  Mirrors never lie.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins