The Unfathomable Love of a Father

I was always one of the “good kids”. I grew up going to church and never really got into trouble or rebelled all that much. I made the decision to have a personal relationship with Jesus when I was in the 7th grade and never really went through much of a rebellious period. I never smoked or did drugs. I was a virgin until my wedding night and to this day when it comes to drinking I’ve still never been beyond slightly tipsy.

I don’t share this to pat myself on the back and tout my own righteousness or anything, but rather because I think that sometimes when you’ve had a good and fairly easy life and been spared from the “really big mistakes” like I have, it can be easy to forget that the work that Jesus did on the cross was for me too. I mean, of course he died to save the prostitutes and the drug dealers and the murderers, but what about my own “little sins”? Lies. Envy. Gossip. Malice. Those “little sins” are just as big in the eyes of my savior and when I stop long enough to realize my own depravity – subtle as it may seem – I am brought to my knees with humility that the God of the universe could love even me enough to send his son Jesus to pay the price for my shortcomings. Because no matter how things appear on the outside, the truth is I am just as broken as the prostitutes and drug dealers and murderers.

We are all broken and we all fall short of God’s standard and today, with it being Easter, I am reminded of the weight of the cross that Jesus bore for me and the unfathomable love of a Father. I am so thankful for the gift I have been given and looking forward to celebrating the most important part of the Easter story tomorrow: the resurrection.

The Unfathomable Love of a Father // via The Little Things We Do

{Photo via She Reads Truth}

I’ll leave you with my most favorite song of all time, beautifully covered by the talented Mackenzie Kuettel and filmed by Levi Shiach. I hope you’ll give it a listen and be reminded of the depth of our savior’s love.

{Cover by Mackenzie Kuettel. Filmography by Levi Shiach of 501 Photo & Film}

How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Happy Easter!

Love,

Lauren

Comments

  1. Thank you for your lovely words. I enjoy your blog so much and our lives have had parallels. I was saddened to read about your concerns for Alice. With my second, we were told that she may or may not have dwarfism. I remember the day or delivery and wondering if my joy would mix with sorrow. My heart was so heavy during the pregnancy. I was so afraid for what our future would hold. We didn’t share our concerns with many people as we didn’t want our family to worry, perhaps unnecessarily. One day, while hanging bookshelves with a dear friend I had a moment of clarity. We hung the shelves and I wondered out loud if my soon to be born daughter would ever be tall enough to reach them. I asked my friend “what we will do if she can’t reach?” The question held so much weight. My friend responded “we will buy her a damn stool!” The simplicity & sincerity of her response made me see that it would be ok. We would adjust and our “Normal” might look different than expected, but that it would be ok. Our future was so unknown to us but not to our Creator. In the end, my daughter Corinne was born without dwarfism. We are blessed and lucky but we would have been that even if she had special needs. I will lift you and Alice (which is my mother’s name) up in prayer. Happy Easter!
    Cindy Willey

  2. Thank you for your lovely words. I enjoy your blog so much and our lives have had parallels. I was saddened to read about your concerns for Alice. With my second, we were told that she may or may not have dwarfism. I remember the day or delivery and wondering if my joy would mix with sorrow. My heart was so heavy during the pregnancy. I was so afraid for what our future would hold. We didn’t share our concerns with many people as we didn’t want our family to worry, perhaps unnecessarily. One day, while hanging bookshelves with a dear friend I had a moment of clarity. We hung the shelves and I wondered out loud if my soon to be born daughter would ever be tall enough to reach them. I asked my friend “what we will do if she can’t reach?” The question held so much weight. My friend responded “we will buy her a damn stool!” The simplicity & sincerity of her response made me see that it would be ok. We would adjust and our “Normal” might look different than expected, but that it would be ok. Our future was so unknown to us but not to our Creator. In the end, my daughter Corinne was born without dwarfism. We are blessed and lucky but we would have been that even if she had special needs. I will lift you and Alice (which is my mother’s name) up in prayer. Happy Easter!
    Cindy

    • @Cynthia – Thank you so much for sharing this. “we’ll buy her a damn stool!” Haha! Such wonderful words of wisdom. This made me smile today, so thank you for your encouragement. xo

  3. Thanks. I love reading your blog and I love knowing I’ll meet you eventually 😉

  4. Anna Norman says:

    thanks for sharing. I love this. And what a beautiful video-one of my fave songs too.

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