God Loves Me!

I sat at a kidney-shaped table with four third-grade girls, playing multiplication bingo. I would draw a card and call out the multiplication fact, and they would put a plastic marker on the answer on their cards, trying to get five in a row.

One of the girls proclaimed exactly how she would win the game and which column contained the winning combination.

I called a few more math facts, but things just weren’t going as this young lady predicted. Another math fact, and the lower lip came out as she moaned, “God hates me!” That announcement surprised me. I pondered how I might respond. I called out another math fact, and again this child repeated the mournful words, “God hates me!” “I doubt that!” I said. One of the other girls chimed in, “I don’t really think that God hates anybody.” I was encouraged that she perceived God as loving. I continued calling math facts, and with the next one, my student placed her marker on a spot that made her happy. Now she called out, “No, He doesn’t!” and raising her hand to heaven, she exclaimed, “Thank You, God!” Even though this girl’s fickle pronouncements amused me, I was also aware that I had seen a truth played out before my eyes.

When life is difficult, how often are we tempted to blame God or fear He doesn’t love us? And our circumstances must sometimes seem as trivial to God as this child’s situation seemed to me. Recently, I sat with a woman who had more grief than it seemed possible to bear. Her pain was real, but she laughed as I told her this story.

I reminded her that it is easy to question God’s love for us in times of extreme grief and pain. But in those times, it is necessary to immerse ourselves in reminders of His loving character: Scripture passages, prayer, time in nature, and being with supportive Christian friends. Today, dear sister, take a few minutes to remind yourself how much God loves you. May you be constantly aware of that great love, and may it fill your heart.

Marsha Hammond-Brummel