Spriggles and Giggles

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus say "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him."

I've heard this reading a million times but it held a new meaning for me as I read it today as a new mother. It made me think about how much time and energy and love I put into taking care of Jordan. I think about her all day, make sure she is fed and happy, make sure she takes her naps even if she doesn't want to, make sure she is still breathing when her nap has gone long. =) It's a beautiful gift to experience so much love but I've also never worried so much in my life! I realize now why my parents always worried and still worry about me.

It's hard to imagine a love greater than this but that is what Jesus was trying to say. If I, who am imperfect, can love that little baby so much, imagine how much God, who is perfect, loves me! That's intense! God thinks about us when we're not thinking about him, wants what's best for us when we just want what we want, wants to enter into a relationship with us when we are more concerned with our other relationships. It makes me feel sad. It makes me think "how could I neglect a love like that?" It's like those cheesy chick flick movies (which I love, btw) where the best friend has always been there for the girl, knows her better than anyone, loves her even... but she wants the jerk! How often do we pick the jerk over the great love?

This Lent I am trying to love God more. To love Him at least as much as I love my family even though I know I need to love Him even more than that. I hope this Lent, more than anything else, brings with it a better understanding of how much God loves each one of us because... what wouldn't we do for the one's we love?