“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
I woke up with a wet face again this morning. Five minutes before my alarm clock was set to go off my little dog, Snoopy jumped on my bed and licked my face until my eyes popped open. I was startled by the slurpy wake up call but didn’t have the heart to scold her. Even though my face was wet, my heart was warm with the knowledge that I was loved.
There is no better feeling than being loved. Snoopy’s morning kisses let me know how much she loved me. When I looked into the adoring eyes of my other dogs before I walked them, I knew that they loved me too. The happy smiles and morning hugs of my sons and daughter let me know that I was loved by them as well. And when I went outside to pick up my morning newspaper, the spectacular sunrise in the sky reminded me that I was loved by God with the same glorious, powerful, and unconditional love that created the entire universe.
The greatest thing about being loved, though, is the realization that you can love too. You can love God. You can love yourself. You can love others. You can love your pets. You can love the world. You can love life. You can fill yourself so full of love that you have no choice but to share it with everyone. And when you love, you will have all the joy, peace, and happiness that you have always wanted in your life. It doesn’t matter what ups or downs life may throw at you either. When you know that God loves you and that you can love as well, every single circumstance will be used to make you stronger, better, and more loving.
Just as no therapy is as good as a puppy licking your face, no knowledge warms your heart as much as knowing that you are loved. Remember then just how much God loves you. Allow His love to fill your heart and your life. And then like a happy puppy wake up each day ready to share your love and joy with the world.
Joseph J. Mazzella