Love Overwhelming

This morning when I was getting ready for the day,

I had Claire strapped on my front in her sling

as I was straightening my hair.

She had a firm grip on the chord and was smiling at herself in the mirror.

I was singing to her

(I know what you're thinking if you've ever heard me "sing".)

"All Who Are Thirsty" by Kutless.

It goes a little like this -

"All who are thirsty, all who are weak.

Come to the fountain, dip your heart in the stream of life.

Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away

in the waves of His mercy.

As deep cries out to deep

we sing, Come Lord Jesus Come."

Suddenly I was overwhelmed by love.

The love that my Father has for me.

I couldn't control the waves I was feeling come over me.

This incredible, unconditional love.

He knows every part of me.

Every yucky sin, every terrible thought,

every hatred, every grudge I hold onto.

He knows it all.

*shudder*

And yet, He loves me despite all of it.

I looked at Claire,

smiling back at me in the mirror.

I love her so much my heart aches.

There is absolutely nothing she could do to make me stop loving her.

Yes, I know she will disappoint me.

She will cause my heart to ache,

make decisions I don't agree with,

say things to me that will make me cry.

But despite all of it,

I will love her with every fiber of my being.

He loves me that much -

but way more.

 Today during Spencer's lunch break

we were playing with Claire.

She was smiling away and squealing

when all of the sudden she let out a giggle!

Not just once, but many times!

Spencer and I were laughing so hard

at this pleasant sound.

It was evident we were both

filled with so much delight

because of the immense joy Claire was displaying.

It was so wonderful.

For a few minutes 

all three of us were just laughing.

I was so full of happiness

at how wonderful my family is,

and how cute my baby is.
There were tears in my eyes.
Partly because I was laughing so hard,
and partly because I was so overwhelmed,
once again,
with such great joy.

Then I could just hear God telling me:
"You give me this much joy, Michelle!
When I watch you with laughing with your family,
doing the things you love to do."
Wow.

All day today I have been processing this.
When Claire was first born,
I was overwhelmed with the realization of
how much my parents love me.
After considering the love I have for her,
reading, listening,
I am only beginning to somewhat get a grasp
on the amazing, everlasting, unconditional love
our Father has for us.
Unconditional, Everlasting,
Love Overwhelming.

{ photo via Faith,Hope,Love }