He Loves You and Me by Suze Fair

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    I have spent a lot of time why the God of the universe, the Creator of it all would want me as his daughter. I’m so flawed and he is perfection. I am so selfish and he is selfless. I’m so worried about tomorrow and what it might and, and he is tomorrow.

    For awhile, I thought he might need me for some great spiritual pursuit, but you know, although he loves it when I’m serving him, it wasn’t his need for me that compelled him to hang his Son on the cross for me. Over the years, all the other reasons I could think of for God wanting me to be his fell flat — wisdom, insight, intelligence, outgoing personality, great sense of humor, the list goes on... It took me awhile, but I finally understood that whatever principle I tried to hold up behind the driving force of our relationship just wasn’t going to capture it.

    In his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul tells the believers there the amazing plans God has for them, and us. His words, which are the bridge between us and God’s heart remind us how dear we are to the Father. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 1:5, Paul sends this word and encouragement to the believers in Thessalonica and to you and me:

“It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much, but has also put his hand on you for something special.” (The Message)

Wow! Something special... you and me!

    I think, if you’re like me, the “something special” will come in the form of the everyday — sitting down long enough to read a whole book to your hungry for you toddler, writing a note that is long overdue to a hurting friend, baking an extra portion of that great thing you’re serving your family for dinner, and then sharing it with your far-from-God neighbors. It’s pretty basic, really.

    You see, God doesn’t need us, he wants us. He doesn’t count our accomplishments or keep score on the results, he applauds each and every one. He will never turn his back or withhold his love. He lavishes it freely upon us. Why? For one very simple reason: he loves you and me!

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