Lissa and I have been wondering together via keyboard and screen about receiving God’s love … what it means, how it happens, why it seems elusive.

This recent communication seemed a good illustration to finish the month of posts on God’s love.

Hi Lissa,

Hmmmm, receiving love on their terms … what that means. I think I know what you are asking.

Here are a few thoughts …

Everyone has the same love needs: security, significance, acceptance, attention, protection, relationship with God and others, to trust and be trusted. I’m sure there are others as well.

But, we RECEIVE those needs in many ways. God created us each uniquely. For some, attention  means receiving a bouquet of flowers … others could care less about flowers, they desire deep conversation in a quiet coffee shop, or, or, or. Although we experience the love of attention differently,  we all need it.

We also GIVE love in many ways, giving resulting from receiving, receiving from God.

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23, NLT

This desire in Jesus’ prayer for us, his followers, amazes me. Jesus asks, God will you love them (us) as much as you love me?

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me…” John 15:9, NLT

Jesus received the love of the Father and then passes it on.

I too need to receive love before having love to give.

God created us differently; and we receive and we give differently. Sooooo, we need to give friends and family the freedom to love us in how God created them. We cannot give love in ways we haven’t received.

God is the only one whose love is perfect. He alone can love us in ways we get. Our earthly giving and receiving of is imperfect.

I think of my relationship with Bill. In my insecurity as a newly wed … and for a long time after … I didn’t understand Bill’s love. It looked different than what I had known. We come from very different families of origin. As I’ve grown in understanding God’s love,  I’ve come to accept his way of loving me.  And accepting has morphed into appreciating and loving his love.

But receiving God’s love was first.

Does this make sense???? Let me know.

Sue

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” I John 4:16, NLT

What does trusting God’s love look like for you?