Learn to recognize God’s love

“What a man desires is unfailing love.”

— Proverbs 19:22 (NIV)

When my friend had her mastectomy, many of the normal concerns crossed her mind. She wondered how her body would feel after having her breast removed. She pondered over what was ahead for her. She was apprehensive about going under the anesthesia. But, most of all, she was perplexed at what God was doing in her life.

After her surgery, she lay in her hospital bed with an oxygen mask on her face. The cool whiffs of fresh air helped clear her foggy mind from the effects of anesthesia. But the most refreshing sense was the fact that two of her sons were at her bedside. One sat on each side of her, holding her hand closest to them. She felt their comfort and strength coming through to her.

Days later, when she related this to her pastor, he explained it was God’s way of sharing his love toward her. She realized that was why she could feel the support and the tender touch her sons’ hands provided. She knew she could face anything with God’s love supporting her.

We all search for God’s love. Oftentimes, we think God’s love is some kind of spiritual feeling we need to find. Other times, we look for it in the wrong places. I have come to realize that God’s love is found in many of the simple pleasures he provides for us on a daily basis. We can see it see displayed through things such as an answer to a problem; a compliment from a friend, spouse, or coworker; finding something we want to buy offered on sale; and the beauty of a sunset painted across the sky.

However, God’s greatest expression of his love isn’t something we can see. It’s forgiveness, love and grace we receive when we accept Jesus as the savior of our sins.

God’s love is abundant and all around us, but many don’t recognize it or take the time to be conscious of it. Let’s stop for a moment today and think of the ways we can recognize God’s love in our life.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.