Dear GOD,
I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. -Nan

I read this on Children’s Letters to God and laughed out loud. Did you ever feel like Nan? Maybe you still do! My siblings are incredible and I love them with all my heart, but there were times…  Okay, I wasn’t exactly an angel myself. I’m sure they would love to tell you about the time I kicked a hole in the wall or the time I refused to let my sister cross the line in our bedroom to go to the bathroom!

Loving our family is not the only challenge. Denise wrote in her letter to God:

Dear GOD,
If we come back as something – please don’t let it be Jennifer Horton because I hate her. -Denise

Apart from the fact that Denise is confused regarding reincarnation, her sentiment about Jennifer Horton is clear. Denise’s parents are going to have their hands full helping her learn to love Jennifer! Teaching Denise about God’s love is the best place to start!

Our culture is waging war on God’s love. The strategy is the same as the one birthed in the Garden of Eden. Bend the truth just enough to convince them of the lie. For example: Jesus is one way to God but He’s not the only way. God wouldn’t be love if He rejected all the nice people who believe in other ways to Heaven. Really? How can a loving God send His Son to die a painful death for our sins when He knew He would allow everyone in anyway? Such a cruel God would be frightening.

The counterfeit love we see everywhere is one with no moral compass, no boundaries and no foundation. When we cheapened God’s love for us, our love for each others always follows. February is a great month to focus on love—God’s love. When we explore what His love really is, two amazing things happen: 1. We experience His powerful and unwavering love for us. 2. We experience His powerful love flowing through us toward others (even family and mean classmates!).

The Family Activity on the calendar this week is The Love Language Game. Gary Smalley wrote the book, The Five Love Languages. He gave us permission to create a game, around the love language theme, for families. The game will help you identify each other’s love language and give opportunities to talk about God’s love language. Click on, http://dg4kids.com/activity/activity-god-is-love/ to find the instructions and downloadable game cards.   The game will require a little bit of preparation but it’s worth it!!!

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. John 4:16 NLT