Love is...more than a royal wedding...

This week's memory verse:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

It's all about love today! I didn't get up at 4:00 am, but I did get up at the normal time and found myself wrapped up in the romantic and storybook-ness of the royal wedding this morning! I am one that has gotten very tired of EVERYTHING ROYAL in the past few months, but I must admit, it was beautiful and moving. And I loved the whole service. The sermon was wonderful...every wedding is a royal wedding. Even though MILLIONS were present and watching around the world, I feel God was also present and making himself known to those watching as well. Who knows who he spoke to during that service?

And, as is the case so many times lately, my Bible study today closely relates to other things...it's about love! God's love for us! 

Read Psalm 103:13-14. 

Again we are reminded that God is like a loving father. He has compassion for us. He knows that we were made from dust. He knows that because HE MADE US! He is tender and merciful with us BECAUSE he made us. What artist is not tender about one of his creations...even though it may not be a masterpiece?

God knows EVERYTHING about us! Psalm 139 says that he perceives my thoughts from afar; he is familiar with my ways; he knows what I am going to say before I say it! Imagine that! He loves me even though he knows the nasty, personal thoughts that go on inside my head sometimes! He lays his hand upon me; I cannot hide from him. His hand will guide me and hold me tight. All my days are written in his book. What happens to me is not a surprise to him. That comforts me because I know that no matter what good things or bad things happen in my life, the one constant thing is God's presence, power and love.

My past, present and future is all connected and God knows it all. He will guide me and love me because he made me and knows me. Even if I make wrong choices, he will use those experiences to accomplish something significant in my life and heart and may use it to work in someone else as well.

Last night, I had a lovely conversation with a sweet person who has recently become a dear friend of mine. We have been discovering that we have a lot in common, even though she is quite a bit younger than me. I shared with her a HUGE mistake I made several years ago, and how that experience changed my life...for the better. I discovered during and after that time in my life that God DOES love me enough to forgive me and help me learn from that mistake! I had a lot to be forgiven for, and in return I have a lot to be thankful for and praise God for! 

God's love has allowed me to move forward and love others even more! God helped me to make the most of an opportunity...to learn as much I could from the experience. He used it in my life in a very powerful way! Now I can share that experience with others...spreading God's love all over the place!

My life may not contain a royal carriage ride on world-wide television, but I do feel my life is a story...it is a story with a happy ending, written by God and covered with his love!