Tonight, I brought my wife coffee at work. I met one of the people she was working with tonight and my heart broke. I was loved and accepted before I stepped in the door. I was hugged when I came and when I left by someone I'll never meet again. There were no conditions or strings attached, just love and acceptance.
If I said I knew what to expect before I walked in, I would be lying. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind that I would drive home with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. I never would have guessed that tonight was going to be about me being blessed instead of about me bringing coffee.
But that's part of why I love God so much. He does not conform to my plans, He has something better.
Have you thought about it? You, me.... we have nothing that would make God love us. We are law breakers and sinners. And yet.... by the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we are loved and accepted by God before we even walk in. God accepts us just the way we are. He longs to change us, to hold us close and let His love and grace break our sinful hearts and draw us closer to Him.
I wasn't loved because of me tonight but only because of my wife. But that love, once earned by my wife, was unconditional.
I understand better now.