SOOOOOOOOO much!

“How much does Mommy love you? SOOOOOOOO much!” she says, as she stretches her arms as wide as possible. Her son giggles in the high chair as he eats his mush, even though he’s seen her do it countless times. *

In a school chapel in the mountains, there’s a stained glass window in front depicting Jesus as a child. His arms are spread wide, and I couldn’t help but imagine him doing as the mother did: “How much does God love you? SOOOOOOOO much!”

I know such a thought is beneath our desired theological sophistication, but it may be the only theology that matters. After all the books are read, scripture quoted, and sermons given, it may come down to this basic, but profound, truth.

*     When we are caught up in a recent or past mistake,

·      When we feel our careers are falling apart,

·      When we think we are our careers.

·      When our families don’t look or act like the dream we once held,

·      When the difference between what we say and what we do overwhelms,

 ·      When we play it safe because we don’t believe God has our back,

·      When we don’t play it safe because we want people to notice or like us,

·      When our bank account is low,

·      When our bank account is full, but we’re empty

·      When a friend or spouse disappoints,

·      When someone we know announces he or she is gay,

     When there’s a party and we’re not invited,

·      When others expect us to pick up the check,

·      When we look for happiness in all the wrong places,

We need to remember the lesson of the mother, the picture in the chapel, and ask the only question that matters: “How much does God love us?”

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

* I must confess, I can’t remember my mother ever doing this, but have seen her arms stretched wide throughout my life, even when it was hard for her to do so.