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On my dresser sits a little, white with hand painted flowers, glass container with a shiny metal lid. Not much taller than a deck of cards but spherically oval. The silver O ring on its top makes it easy to take off and put on even if not screwing it into place. It holds my matches. I’ve carefully packed and moved it many times. Even through I have no use for matches, I have this and I keep it. For most people, it’s nothing but a trinket, but to me it is more, much more.
When I was a little girl I would spend every day possible at my grandparents house. Being with Pa was my heart’s desire. Sadly, he lived in New York state and we’d moved hundreds of miles away and our time together was never enough. It was with Pa I learned to love poached eggs. Gram would make him two poached eggs with toast, and he’d share with me. I can see it now as if it was there. No time was wasted when I was with him. As silly as it seems, poached eggs are just one special way to remember all I loved about him.
I know another man who is even much more than Pa was to me, He’s Jesus. Grandpa showed me the kind of love the Lord must have for me, too, but in a much grander way. He loved, always. He loved, purely. He loved, fully. He loved, and loved, and loved some more. He wanted the best for me, spent his time with me as if I was the only person there, spoke of me as if I was the apple of his eye, and wouldn’t allow harm to befall me in his presence. He just loved. Do you think there was anything Pa desired of me that I wouldn’t do? Maybe we can call them rules, but my love for him makes it difficult to relate any of him negatively and we know the word rules has a sour connotation. Never did I consider loving him, no matter the cost, a sacrifice for me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to please him because I loved him so much, and it was because of his love for me.
My match holder? It was Pa’s egg poacher. I keep it. I treasure it because of all it reminds me of him. Who do you love? What do you treasure? Who is it easy to please? Who loves you?
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by me.
DLord, thank you for Pa. Thank you for Jesus. I have to think about Your love and my obedience to Your commands. Have I kept them? Is it a chore, a sacrifice to obey You or do I love you so much that I can only obey. Forgive me for not keeping Your commands always, lovingly and willingly. Lord I love you, because You love me perfectly-even more than my Pa did. Thank you.
