The Greatest Love ❤️

The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the city was painted gold. Emma stuck on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone. The screen was blank; no calls, no messages. Throughout the day, she had been attempting to call her friends, expecting something from them, but silence greeted her. Her heart was aching as she scrolled through pictures from the past, memories of laughter and promises that felt hollow now.

Why don't they care?" she grumbled to herself, her eyes brimming with tears. She had always gone out of her way to be there for all of them; listening to their problems, celebrating their triumphs, and offering a helping hand whenever they needed it. But when she needed them, they were nowhere to be found.

Emma always believed that if she provided a lot of love, then she would receive the same in return. But time and again, she found herself with nothing, under appreciated, and isolated. People entered her life, used what they could, and left when she is no longer required. It appeared that however much she gave to individuals, it was always inadequate.

One evening, after another discouraging day, Emma was sitting in the quiet sanctuary of a small church near her apartment. She had not planned on going in, but something called to her through the open doors. The flickering warmth of candle light and the delicate scent of incense filled the air. She sat in the back pew, her heart burdened.

And while she sat, a line from the Bible arrested her attention, engraved on a plaque near the altar: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."(John 3:16). They sounded deep to her. She had already heard them but tonight they seemed close.

She cried, tears streaming down her face, as she whispered softly, "Why do I always look for love in the wrong places?"

In the stillness, there came a sense of peace about her. To her, as if God Himself were sitting alongside her. She felt in her heart like a voice whispered to her that His love was unchanging, constant, and unconditional. Emma reflected on the parable of the prodigal son; how the father had welcomed his errant child back into his arms, no queries asked. She understood that no matter how many times she had wandered away from God, He waited for her return.

"I've been so fighting to get love from people who can't love me the way I need," she admitted quietly. "But You've been there all along, loving me without my needing to prove myself."

In that instant, the burden was lifted from Emma's shoulders. She no longer needed to work so hard for love. She no longer needed to give and give until she had nothing left in order to be worth something. God's love was enough, more than enough. It was a love that would never abandon her, never disappoint her. 

Over the next weeks, Emma began to rebuild her life according to this new truth. She was praying more, reading the Bible, and seeing the richness of God's love. She began to realize that the love that she had sought from other people could only come from Him. And as she learned more of God, she began to look at herself as He did; loved and greatly valued.

One afternoon, while sitting in the park, a stranger approached her. The woman looked upset, and Emma felt like she wanted to talk to her. The woman opened up about her problems while they were talking, and Emma listened with sympathy in her heart. When they were saying their goodbyes, the woman hugged her and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for being kind to me. I needed that today."

Emma smiled, knowing that the love that she had received from God was now flowing out to others through her. She did not need to seek validation from others because she was established in God's love. And for that, she could love others unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.

Emma's journey wasn't always easy. There were still moments of loneliness and heartbreak, but she no longer let them consume her. She had found the greatest love of all; a love that would never leave her, never betray her, and never be depleted. And within that love, she found her worth.

She learned that when others let her down or leave, God remains. When the world is chilly, His love is a hug of warmth. And when she has nothing to give, He reminds her that His love is all she requires.

Finally, Emma realized that loving and being loved was not a matter of trying or proving herself. It was about getting her heart aligned with God's, allowing His love to fill her and overflow into the lives of others. And in so doing, she found peace, purpose, and the greatest love of all.

He loves you as He loves Emma. He love me and you, all of us. He is knocking and waiting for you to receive Him. Invite Him in.

Vickie 🌸