A Love Like No Other
Friday, February 12, 2021 by Melissa McLaughlin

A Memory of Love

As a child, one of the highlights of our school year was Valentine’s Day. Once a year, we brought a shoe box to school and cut an opening on top. With energetic hands, sparkling eyes, construction paper and crayons, we transformed used cardboard boxes into personal mailboxes for Valentine cards.

The school held only a few special events during those years. So, decorating a box and exchanging Valentine cards was a thrill.

We put our heart and soul into those boxes. Gluing down red paper. Cutting paper hearts in various designs to adorn each box with our own style.

There was only one rule, we were required to give each student in the class a card so that everyone was included. We didn’t give treats, candies or anything else. We simply exchanged cards printed with a friendly greeting or cheerful note.

After stepping off the school bus on Valentine’s Day, I raced into the house, dumped out my cards and pored over those cards for days. A small word of kindness meant the world to my child’s heart. Still does.

An Everlasting Love

No matter where we are or how we feel today, may we pause in gratitude, remembering another kind of love. A love that lasts long after the paper hearts have fallen. The love of God.

God has given us the gift of life.
He provides for our daily needs~ food, clean water, clothing, work and shelter.
He surrounds us with loving friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
He graces us with little joys like the affection of a pet.
With each glowing sunrise, His mercies are new every morning.

Yet shining out over all, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore us into a loving relationship with Himself.

Better than cards, roses or chocolate.
Better than jobs, houses or cars.
Even better than the people God has given us to love.

The greatest gift of all is the love God demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

That is a love like no other.

A love that gives.
A love that sacrifices.
A love that redeems.
What once was dead is alive in Christ.
What once was old is made new.
What once was lost is found forever.

The Love of Christ

Jesus Christ, a love like no other.

May nothing else in our lives be treasured more than the God who made us, loves us and died for us.

So, whether you are receiving a card of friendship or finding only another pile of bills in the mail…

Remember this~

God wrote His love letter to you in the red blood flowing from our Savior’s side.

Whether you are surrounded by loved ones or find yourself sitting alone…

Remember this~

The God of all creation came for you.

Whether you are adding water to a vase full of flowers or running water to wash a sink filled with dirty dishes…

Remember this~

The Rose of Sharon was crushed for you.

You are loved with a love like no other.

A Love Like No Other

Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

laid down His life for you,
to cleanse you of sin,
to put you in right-standing with God,
and prepare a place for you in His heavenly family.

At the cross, the heart of Jesus gushed red for you.

The voice of Jesus whispered forgiveness for you.

The Great Shepherd gave His life to bring you home, little lamb.

Let the magnitude of His love soak into the recesses of your heart.

Let His immeasurable love seep into the hurt places of your soul.

Let His love wrap around you like a blanket of peace, His everlasting arms holding you.

If you haven’t received God’s words of love sealed for you in Jesus Christ, please do so today.

Let Jesus love you.

No one loves you more.

A love like no other.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 ESV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1 ESV

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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