Just
Because
By Karen D’Amore
“Dear children,
let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our
actions.”
1 John 3:18 (NLT)
It
was an ordinary day: not a holiday, anniversary, birthday or any other special
occasion. I entered my vehicle to leave for work and found a card taped to the
steering wheel. The unexpected sentiment was left by my husband…just because! It’s not the first time he’s left something in
my vehicle, taped to the bathroom mirror, or in my suitcase when I’m traveling.
These unexpected expressions of love have always impelled me to ask, “What
prompted this?” To which he always replies,
“Just because!” Something always draws
me to believe that these random expressions of love must be contingent upon
something I’ve done!
I
doubt that my husband even realizes how much those “just because,” unexpected displays
of love warm my heart. Knowing that his actions are spurred by heartfelt
emotion versus being dictated by a date on the calendar fills my love tank to
overflowing! And I love that he always leaves these surprises someplace for me
to find in his absence, allowing me to carry that piece of him with me when
we’re apart.
As
my relationship with Christ grows more personal and intimate, I’ve become more
aware of His perpetual “just because” personalized expressions of love. Knowing
best how to fill my love tank, God expresses His “just because” love for me…through
the beauty, complexity and creativity of His creations. “For
since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and
divine nature have been clearly seen…” (Romans
1:20a, NASB) Cognizant of how powerfully nature touches my heart and soul,
God becomes visible to me through His creations.
Every
time I gaze upon a masterfully brilliant sunrise or sunset, I see the signature…
Love, God woven into the tapestry
of His hand-painted sky. When He nudges me to look out the window, just in time,
to catch a glimpse of a grazing deer, my heart hears Him whisper…Love, God.
With each expression engraved in my memory, an invisible God becomes
visible through His signature, Love, God.
Scripture
assures us that God’s love is NOT contingent upon anything we’ve done. “But God showed his great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans
5:8, NLT). This powerful display of “just because” love stretches beyond human comprehension. And
to think that, still today, as undeserving sinners, God longs for us to
experience His personal expressions of love…
…just because!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Watch for God’s love notes!
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
