“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:26).

In his best selling book, “The 5 Love languages” the renowned counselor, Gary Chapman,  shares the story of Ashley, a 13 year old girl who run away from her home and got entangled in one relationship after another, with none lasting. Explaining her circumstances, she shared how she was hurt by her parents’ divorce: “I felt my father left because he didn’t love me…when my mother remarried.. I thought she now had someone to love her, but I still had no one to love me. I wanted so much to be loved…!” Once Ashley felt no longer loved by her “new catch” she quickly moved on to “Mr Next!”

Chapman noted that Ashely’s love tank was empty and hence the search to have it filled from anywhere and regardless. Within every human being God has placed that tank seeking to be filled with a well of love. Babies cry for love.  Children are desperate for love.  Adults search for love. When adults fail to find love in a certain person those with means seek it in all sorts of alternative avenues. Aside from running from one relationship to another, many choose to buy acceptance. There is a reason why many people spend so much purchasing status things they don’t need! It’s all about acceptance and being “loved!”

Now, if we are longing for love and acceptance, as is only natural, then there is a place where we don’t have to cash in for it. God’s love. It is a comfort to know that God has shared with us His love at no cost. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Ashely moved from one relationship to another desperately searching for love. She was often disappointed. Yet there is the permanent love of God, which is there for us: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” ( Psalm 86:15).

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, thank you so much for the love that you have for me as your child, and I know I don’t have to buy it from anywhere, because you have accepted me for whom I am, and this I pray in Jesus’s name.