Robert Evans

It seems not too long ago that my daughter was born. It really wasn’t that long ago, but looking at her, gaining weight, learning new things, showing her personality, makes it feel much longer than it really is. Or, that could be the many nights of hardly any sleep…

Having a child, your first, is really a big learning curve. There are moments that you feel like you are in the groove and it is coming easy. Then, there are those times that you feel you just don’t get it. It has nothing to do with the immense love you feel, or the desire to do anything your child needs. Rather, it is the ever changing child who is learning constantly, every day, every moment.

I love watching my little girl find joy in sitting up, trying to stand as I hold her to keep her balance. I love to listen to her “talking” with words I don’t understand, but I get what she is saying. My heart melts when she see’s me after a short time and her face lights up with such a huge smile that her whole body gets into the smile. Her inquistive looks to her toes, her excitement as she pulls a stuffed animal to her face, and her stubborness to do what she wants, such as sitting up when she is strapped in to her car seat. It is unlike any experience I have ever experienced in my life. Before her, I would have never known what I was missing. Today, with her, I will give anything to just spend another minute with her.

This experience of becoming a father for the first time has really shed light on how God must see us and what He feels for us. It has clarified forgiveness, deep desires to be close to us, and a love that you just can’t understand.

A worry of mine has always been: “Have I sinned one time too many that God is going to count me out?” I believe many people worry about this or the unforgivable sin. Today, I don’t worry about that because of first hand experience. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that my daughter could do that would cause me to never forgive her. She could end up doing drugs, being a prostitute, murder someone, or whatever horrible crime and she would always be my little girl.

The parable that Jesus taught of the prodigal son rings loud and clear. No matter what my daughter ever does, the moment she comes back is just like the moment before she left. There is nothing that could separate the love I have for her. There is nothing that can separate the love God has for us.

Even after a sleepless night, week, or month I cannot get enough time with my daughter. I have been fortunate to be able to work from home most days during the week. I must admit, during the day I find it hard to get much done. No, my wife doesn’t beg me to help, she is really great and trying to allow me to work. And no, my daughter hasn’t learned to talk, crawl, or walk to beg for my attention. In fact, she is happy with her mom playing. It’s me. I hear her, I know she is there and I want to be with her. This too is how God feels about us, the saved AND unsaved.

God loves us so much and desires to be with us so much that He send His own Son to pay the price we rightfully should pay. His Son loves us so much that He laid His own life down. No one took it from Him, He could have stopped it at any moment of His choosing, but He didn’t. He didn’t because of you and me, the saved AND unsaved.

I fell in love with my wife. After several months, I knew I loved her. Yes, several months – we were engaged after 3 months, it was just one of those things. I love my wife deeply, but again, I fell in love with her over a period, albiet small period, of time. Before my daught was born, I knew I loved her already. The moment I knew we were having a baby, I loved her. But, that love didn’t really hit me until I saw her when she was born.

There is nothing like the love you have for your child. It is instant, it is deeper than deep, unconditional, selfless, and pure. It is a miracle in my opinion, just as much as my daughter is. My reason for this belief is simple: God allowed this so that we can know the love He has for us.

I believe this miracle of child birth is simply God’s love playing itself out for us to know, learn and start to truly understand. It is a glimse into God’s perspective, His feelings for us, and how far He will go for us. The Bible says God is striving hard so that none of us will perish. Yet, God has given Himself a limitation: mankind’s free will. He does not force His gift on us, but offers it freely for those who desire Him much like He desires us.

Love is not love when it is forced. That would be much more like lust where we want, but don’t care how it is given/taken. Love is letting go, if one decides to go. Love is accepting one back after they have been gone for a period of time. Love is forgiveness. Love is unconditional and it gives no matter what.

As much as I love my little girl, as much as I would do anything for her, forgive her for anything, so much more is God’s love, mercy, and passion for us. Those of you who have children, have experienced the glimse into God’s perspective, and that is another expression of His love.

For those who aren’t parents, don’t be disheartened, rather trust Him and learn from our experiences. There is nothing you could do that God won’t forgive you for. There is nothing that can separate you from His love. And for those who are not saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ: His love is for you regardless of your choice. His gift is for you too. Even if you refuse to live with Him, He loves you nonetheless and will respect your choice and allow you to live without Him. How this must break His heart, for it would break mine if my child refused my love and chose to live without me, never wanting to be bothered with me.

What a joy it is to live within Him and know Him!