Libby Baker Sweiger

God’s Love Is A Constant

“The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God’s love for us does not.”
― C.S. Lewis

My daughter Abby and I.

What is more constant than the love of a mom or dad? The love of God. I have learned this over my lifetime in tough experiences and not so tough.

My first big lesson came when my parents separated when I was nine. Out of love and respect for my parents and the considerate and loving way they handled their inevitable divorce, I often gloss over my feelings when I talk about it. I hurt. I loved my dad as much as my life. I was his sidekick. I followed him everywhere. I loved my mom so much too, but dad and I were two peas in a pod. I saw him every weekend, but missed him every second in between. I missed our relationship too. It changed imperceptibly, but my child’s heart noticed it. He was more indulgent, less strict. Part of me didn’t mind, part of me knew I needed a firm hand to guide me.

As I grew older, it became obvious that God was extending that firm hand of guidance to me in his place. If I stepped too far out of line, the circumstances of life disciplined me big time. I had received Christ as my savior at the age of 13 and had a wonderful pastor to mentor me. I began to see the hand of God in my life, literally. He didn’t just discipline me. He loved me beyond measure. My mother was a shining example of that to me. My dad was always there for me. I made adult friends through my church who taught me the bible and guided me over some rough spots.

I still managed to get in enough trouble. I was rebellious, stubborn and determined to learn things the hard way. I knew in my heart I could get away with the stuff I pulled without my dad in the house. Many times circumstances reigned me in. Upon reflection I would see Him again: my Father God keeping an eye on me, protecting and watching out for me.

“Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly.”
― Mother Teresa

I must have worn out a couple of guardian angels some days! I probably still do, yet the Love of God is always there.

Our emotions will trick us. They try to rule our hearts and minds. They try to dictate to us what the reality is in our lives. Emotions do not rule our lives, God does.

I need to remind myself of this fact. God is the ruler of my heart and knows all things. He knows if I am in a depressive phase of bipolar disorder. He knows I will come out of it. He knows how to nudge me to lean on Him in the midst of suffering. He knows how to help me turn my focus outward and not in towards myself.

Loving other people as God loves us, helps us get our mind off of ourselves. We can only do this with His love, strength and by yielding our will to His in our prayers and attitudes. It’s worth it. Loving others fill our days with joy and our nights with peace and restful sleep. Loving God takes us out of ourselves and puts our souls at rest and filled with love, joy and blessing.

Constancy: we all crave it. We can find it in the heart of God. He is reaching out to all to give us the gift of His constant love. We need only answer.

Featured Bible Verse About God’s Love: Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.