Seriously, Father.

Good morning, Father.

Oh, that you have watched us through the night. Watched over us, not sleeping or dozing or nodding off--no, you do not sleep. I cannot fathom this. Even the best and most wonderful of mothers nod off during the watch of a child. But you, Father, you never do. And I thank you.

Father, thank you for your good faithfulness and your faithful goodness. Thank you that nothing we can do or not do can negate or change either. You remain constant. It is our perception and vantage point that changes. Father, I pray we would trust this faithful goodness. I pray we would invest time and prayer and energy in learning and embracing and experiencing this faithful goodness.

Father, your word says you loved us first. First. Before we were bathed. Before our ratty hair was combed. Before our dirty finger nails were cleaned and clipped. You loved us when we were still covered in the grime of sin, when we still carried the odor of death and decay. You loved us first.

You loved us before. If we really believe this to be true, then we will understand that you love us still. If you loved us before we even acknowledged you, then how can we live as if you have pulled back on that love? You do not hold it in reserve as we often do. We hold love back and mete and dole it out as it benefits us. If we believe we are going to receive a good return we are generous. If we believe the love we give will be absorbed and nothing will return on the wake for us, then we tend to be reserved and stingy with love.

Father, according to your beloved John, then this is not love at all. Love that demands its own way, selfishly obtaining for only its own benefit and desiring to be seen--this is not love.

Father, through John, you have told us that we who believe and belong to you have been anointed by Christ. And that anointing tells us everything we should know. It teaches us. Father, I am praying that today we love as you do. I am asking that today you would speak to your people, to your beloved children and through the power of the Spirit that we would love--not in word, but in deed. When we see someone hurting today I ask that you would give us words and actions to help salve that wound. When we see someone depressed today I ask that you would give us the courage to help face the darkness with them and let them know there is light. When we see someone depleted today, may you show us how to be a source of replenishment for them.

Father, show us how to really love. Seriously, Father. We want to really love. You loved us first. And this truth should compel us to want to share, to want to be a distributor of this truth--because it changes people. Knowing that we were honestly loved BEFORE transforms us. It gives us the courage to love others well. Deeply.

So, Father, help us today to not just talk about love. But to live it. To flesh it out. To embody it.

In the name of Jesus.   Amen