See how love works:  

I loved my father very much. From the day I opened my eyes, I was his little girl, and he always called me his Baby when he talked about me to others. 

When the wheels turned, I was there. I rode around almost everywhere with my dad. At the end of the month, we rode our bicycles together into town when he went to pay his debts. 

We always stopped behind the OK Bazaar, and from there, we walked everywhere else. On the way home, he would buy us each a cool drink and a sweetie, then we would ride home on our bicycles chatting, and chatting. 

My father was my hero, the most beautiful man I knew. Loving, gentle, yet firm. I had the greatest respect for my father. He provided for us children and loved our mother and us very much. 

For the last five years of his life, he had Parkinson’s, and for the last two and a half years, he couldn’t walk at all. His whole body became stiff. 

No matter what happened, we never doubted our love for each other. I was by his side for his final four days and was present when he passed away in April. 

I dedicated him to the Father repeatedly. I told him it was okay for him to go to heaven, and we would be okay. I had peace in my heart to let him go because I knew he loved the Lord. My father had served Him for years. He was ready to meet his Heavenly Father. 

Of course, I cried when he died, but I was so grateful that his earthly suffering was over and that he could now have a glorified body again. 

Recently I’ve missed him very much, but sometimes I’ve wondered why I didn’t experience an intense sadness and felt half guilty about it, but today these words confirmed it for me: “Love conquers the pain of death.” 

Suzette gives us a glimpse of love, true love between a dad and his daughter. What a wonderful picture of the love between a parent and child! 

Each of us is a child of the Almighty God, whose love for us is profound. He willingly sacrificed His own Son so that we might one day return to Him and remain in His presence. 

Knowing that God loves us changes the way I walk through life. Even though it’s stressful, even though it’s hard, I know I can take on any challenge, because I’m not alone. I have a God who loves me so much that He will not let go of me.  

8God is love! 

Scripture
1 John 4:7-21 

Reflection
How do you know God loves you?
How does God’s love influence the way you live? Do you truly believe that God will never leave you? 

 Prayer
Father, thank you for Your love in my life. Thank you that I feel loved. Help me spread love in the lives of the people around me. Amen.