His Love for Us

Posted by Angela | 0 comments

As many know, it is Autism Awareness month, but in lieu of talking about this subject just yet, I would like to focus on the great significance of these past seven days. I have been reflecting over Easter week and just cannot disregard the emotions that come over me every year when I think about the amazing sacrifice that my Lord made for me.

Inevitably I begin to think about the impact that becoming a Christian has had on my life. I was raised in church to believe in Him, but it wasn’t until I was 28 that I stepped forward ready to take on the responsibility and the faith that came with knowing Him. I had just come out of a very dark two years of anger and disbelief. I was tired and shaking a fist toward the sky. I will spare you the details that led up to that point, but I was lonely and discouraged and in need of spiritual rebirth.

I began to take inventory of the ‘not fair’s’ and the limitations I had put on His gifts. I thought about the times that I had ‘shut the door’ to be the person I wanted to be instead of the person I should have been. I cried, forgave and asked for forgiveness.

A few years ago my children and I visited a church and witnessed our very first ‘Passion Play’. We watched as people laid down their palms and proclaimed, “Hosanna”. We saw the dramatized recreation of the Last Supper. We watched as the guards tortured ‘Jesus’. It wasn’t until the crucifixion scene that I was pushed to the point of inconsolable tears. As the hammer came down, loudly, on the cross it hit me. The play was silent except for that loud, pounding noise resonating against the church walls.

The play progressed to the resurrection, but out of the entire play I never have forgotten the sound of that hammer and the stakes that they displayed. It became very real, very fast.

Recently, while completing a school assignment, I was fortunate to come across a quote that reflected on the ‘vine and branches’ analogy found in John 15:1-4.

Before the fruit, comes the pruning. I imagine if a vine could talk, he’d say to the pruner, “You’re killing me, man!” And the gardener would say, “I know it hurts, but I’m actually removing things you don’t really need so you can explode with greater fruit.” –Hutchcraft, 2010

All of those past hurts that I had, all of the sins I committed, all of my anger… He took it all. The memories still burn and I still feel shame, but I can rely on the knowing that He brought me through it and forgave me on top of that. He knew that I needed a Savior. He was there through my loneliness waiting for me to ask for Him.

He died for me…and I didn’t deserve it. It would be several years before I would realize that it wasn’t about whether or not people deserved salvation, but about His love for us.

As you go on about your Easter festivities this year I highly encourage each of you to take the time to explain these things to your children. I know for many this is something that you already do in your home.

For those who need reminding, remember that He loves you. Though you may feel shame, heartache or regret…He LOVES you. Though you may sin intentionally each day, hate your neighbor; never walk inside a church, be undecided in your beliefs or just indifferent… He LOVES you.

He died for you and took on all of it so that you could live eternally with Him because:

He loves you.

¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

See, I told you so.

Lord,

I come before your throne this morning humbly in remembrance of the sacrifice you took for me. I am in awe that one could love us so immensely as to take on the weight of the world and wipe our slates clean. I ask that you be with others as you have always been with me and that you instill faith in those who are hiding because they feel they are undeserving. I ask for hope for those who have none.

In Christ’s name I pray,

Amen

Wishing you and yours’ a very blessed Easter.

Angela DeRossett is a fun-loving, married to the military, homeschooling mother of four. She has four cats and a great big dog and loves her very full house. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Christian Education and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts and Science in Christian Ministries. Angela is a coffee and theology junkie and is passionate about Autism advocacy and disability rights. You can find her blogging at Memoirs of a Chaotic Mommy and Homeschooling the Chaotic Mommy.