How great the Father's love for us!

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
How great is the love that our Heavenly Father has lavished on us, that He calls us back into His arms, even after we have wandered from Him?  Even while we are lost God is searching for us...He still sees us when we are far from Him.  He never lets go...His steady hand holds on tight to us, but we are the ones who lose our grip on His.  I love the story of the Prodigal Son.  I have been that person.  I have wandered (multiple  times) from God's truth and His perfect will for me.  I have said things that breathed death instead of life into others.  I have gossiped to be in the loop.  I have lied to cover up my shame.  I have watched things and sang songs that were not things that would help me be the best I can be for God's kingdom.  I have accepted lies instead of God's truth.  I have allowed myself to be entangled in fear, anxiety, and worry.  I have coveted what others have.  I have judged others instead of fixing the many problems I have....(these are just to name a few).  But God still wants me.  And every time I accept that my name is Mandy Alford and I am a sinner and I acknowledge my sins, God welcomes me home and wants to celebrate with me.  I know He is celebrating because I suddenly am at peace with myself.  I am holding tight to His truth. I am in a continual conversation with Him.  I sing praises to Him.  He is celebrating with me.  I am not deserving of this love that God so willingly gives to me and I did nothing to earn His grace.  But He doesn't care about that.  He just wants me...all of me.  And when I realize that -He celebrates.  And He wants you, too.  We bring smiles to His face and make His cheeks dance with laughter every time we grab on to His unfailing hand and allow His grace to wash over us.  What a glorious God! 

Father,
Thank you for the love you have covered us with.  Thank you for loving me even when I am unlovable to everyone else in this world.  Thank you for your perfect gift of grace.  Thank you for your son who took on my shame.  By His wounds we are healed!