lavish: to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God.

That is just incredible. Mind blowing. I couldn’t stop thinking about that verse yesterday. Here’s what rolled around my head/heart…

Well I have to first start by saying that, as a teacher, I’ve always told my students I love them. As a teacher in a Christian school, I blessed to be able to say that Christ loves me and so I love them as He called me to do. That love is shown by respecting and encouraging them, and I always let them know I’ll be there for them even after they leave 8th grade if they ever need to talk, share or need some advice. I love having that trust and relationship and many have taken me up on it. I feel honored and blessed to be able to shower them with that love.

Then I had my own child. A new door was opened. I couldn’t have explained until it happened. A new kind of love.

(Most times) you can tell the difference  between an adult interacting with a child they know and then their own child. There is a connection and extra something with their own child. Although, I know this is not always the case and, sadly, some children are left feeling neglected. Those situations break my heart. Even those who have been through that don’t have to worry about that from our Heavenly Father.

I love the NIV translation of this phrase: love the Father has LAVISHED on us. Wow! What does that look like? Feel like? How would you picture an actual person in your life LAVISHING upon you love? I’m not talking about romantic love, that’s easier to picture, but not the right form in this case. The Greek word is agape, which translated can best be described as unconditional love for all. Then He LAVISHES this complete, genuine, wholehearted love all over you. Seeping into your pores, gushing into your ears, filling up your heart to overflowing.

Now go back and imagine that dad loving his little son so immensely you have no doubt it’s his child. Then multiply it by millions. billions. This scripture says that if someone saw God loving us THAT much (LAVISHLY) we should (must) be called the children of God. There would be no doubt.

The fact is: there IS NOT a doubt. God loves you not like His child, but AS His child every single day. That Love came down to earth humbly as child to become complete Love for us on a cross. Let’s remember that this Advent/Christmas Season, and live soaking up and constantly remembering that love everyday of our lives.