Variant. This is another new word, on account of Covid19, that is found in my vocabulary. I have never had need of that word before. Yesterday it was used in a conversation.

I remember getting the big book of Valentine’s cards when I was young.  You could punch the valentines out, along the perforated edges.  There was one huge valentine.  That valentine usually carried the standard message.  All others carried variants of the message.  The big question was, ‘Who would receive the largest valentine?’ The sharing of primary school valentines was a momentous occasion. Who you were determined the valentine, and message, you would receive.  It was not always easy to receive a message on a valentine that was a variant of the real thing, especially if you were hoping for something with a significant message.

At our church’s virtual “Tea Time for Seniors” this week, we had a ‘love’ theme reflective of upcoming Valentine’s Day. A song was shared, and the lyrics invited us to pause and receive the weight of them. There is one love, and message of love, that has no variant. It is a love that is unaltered.  It cannot be changed as it directs its attention from one person to the next. It is a love that is extended to all without exclusion.  The recipient of this love is determined not on account of behaviour, or looks, or popularity, but rather on the Giver.  Together we listened as these words were sung for us.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill
And ev’ry man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

Oh! Love of God …..

What an incredible love God has for each one of us. We receive his love knowing that the demonstration of this love came with great sacrifice and cost. “God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us. For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose.  It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:5-8).

This is the valentine, without a possible variant, that God extends to each of us today. My we know and rest in God’s love for us, our family, and our neighbours. Knowing of this unaltered love may we respond. Loved with this incredible love, may our lives express a great ‘Thank You!’

29: Have You Ever Stopped To Think How God Loves You?

1. Have you ever stopped to think
How God loves you?
It sounds quite incredible, and yet it's true.
Nothing on this earth or in the heavens above
Is as sure and certain as God's love.

O it's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea,
And it's as wide as the world,
God's love for you and for me.
We can't escape His love,
Or take ourselves out of His care,
So where could we hide from His love?
His love is everywhere.

2. Everything is changing in the world today,
There's one thing reliable in every way,
Other things may alter but it's clear and plain
That the love of God is just the same.

O it's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea,
And it's as wide as the world,
God's love for you and for me.
We can't escape His love,
Or take ourselves out of His care,
So where could we hide from His love?
His love is everywhere.

3. Wider than the human mind can realize,
His love is unlimited and never dies;
Though we don't deserve it, every day it's new;
That's the love of God for me and you.

O it's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea,
And it's as wide as the world,
God's love for you and for me.
We can't escape His love,
Or take ourselves out of His care,
So where could we hide from His love?
His love is everywhere.

Oh God, your love is boundless, deep, and free.  We do not want to resist this great love today. Help us understand the depths of your love, a love that we can be known to take for granted. As we receive your generous love, make us generous givers of your love. Allow us to share your love even with those we feel are underserving, for certainly we are not deserving of your love and yet you shower it on us. AMEN.

With care and in prayer,