LOVE
I was a disappointment. I could have done so much more with my time, talents, and resources. I stopped caring about anything for that period in my life. It was a time of bitterness and selfishness. I was blessed with so much, and I couldn’t see what I had because I kept on focusing on the wrong things. I was caught up in my delusions that I lost track of what was right in front of me.
I saw that there were a lot of people who were so good at making decisions, continually doing the right thing every time. I thought to myself, “why can’t I be like that?”. I always feel that I want to do the right thing, but sometimes I do the opposite. All these failures made me want to give up on everything and go back to the selfish ways I once grasped. The thought of starting from scratch again scared me, my peers were almost finished with college already and are now beginning to build their lives. Is there any hope left for me?
The heart-to-heart talk I had with my father opened my eyes. That was what I needed all along. I needed to be reminded that there is so much more to life than what was happening back then. I needed a reminder of the plan that God already has for my life and that I need to draw closer to Him to be able to taste it.
I thought I was fooling my father, but he knew. He may not have known all the things that were going on with me, but he had an idea, he knew then that I was deceitful. It’s not that he didn’t mind; it’s just that he loved me so much, so he still chose to give me the benefit of the doubt. My dad wanted to hear it from myself, and he wanted me to see that what I was doing was wrong.
“There is nothing you can do that will ever stop me from loving you”. These were words from my dad that will always be on my mind and my heart. After everything that had happened, I am consistently receiving nothing but love, support, and a dash of constructive criticism. I am eternally grateful for my father because he showed me how God loves. True love, unconditional love, everlasting love. God loves me, and He made me feel His love through the love of my father.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you.”
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love
I hope you enjoyed this devotional story from Christian Anthony Adove Manalo. There are more devotional stories on this website that you can read, and I pray that each devotional story would help you progress in your Christian journey. Thank you for visiting High3r Devotional! God bless you!