Thursday, May 13, 2021

Playing Favorites

 


For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39

Pictured above is the Mother's Day gift sent to me by daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law, John.  I get such a kick out of their sense of humor!  Of course, this starts a good-natured sibling rivalry between son, Daniel, and Sarah, with Daniel vowing to outdo his sister next time around, so she'd better bring her "A Game" to the fray.

I'm reminded, too, of the schtick the Smothers Brothers used to pull - Tommy inevitably, and sometimes jealously, declaring to Dick, "Mom always liked you best!"

We can all enjoy a good laugh at these things, because we know in our hearts, they aren't true.  No mother loves one child more than the other.  She can't, and she won't, play favorites.  Sure, there are those moments, maybe many, when it's easier to like one child better than the other - just think of toddler tantrums or teenage tirades.

But love?  That's a constant!

There is nothing our children can think, say or do that can cause a parent to love them less.

And it's the same with our Heavenly Father.

God may not like how we act, how we treat others, or the sins we commit, knowingly or unknowingly.  But He will never stop loving us.

As the Apostle Paul states in Romans 8, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.  That is the eternal promise, and one in which I take great comfort.

We are all God's children.  He loves us all equally.

And He never plays favorites.

Amen!

43 comments:

  1. Great post. God loves us all equally; but differently. Each accoding to his needs.

    God bless.

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  2. It's the question shared by all siblings. We play favorites; God doesn't.

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    1. Exactly, Glynn! So glad God doesn't play favorites.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. I love the glass, so cute! :)

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    1. I love it, too, Martha. I chuckle every time I see it.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. I used to love the Smothers Brothers ... appointment TV each Sunday night! That glass is precious, as is your son and daughter's 'rivalry.'
    How blessed we are, knowing God doesn't play favorites!

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    1. I loved that show, too, Myra. And yes, the glass is a fun one, that's for sure. I'm glad God isn't playing the favorite game. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  5. This made me chuckle. We too have that rivalry with our kids. Last year my middle daughter (All adults by the way) gave my hubby a shirt saying My favorite child gave me this shirt which matched her shirt saying, and I am the favorite child. Of course photos had to be taken and sent to the others. kids!

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    1. Oh, that's just too funny, Jean! It's a great way for a family to poke fun at one another and get a good laugh at the same time.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Boa tarde. Meus amigos queridos, parabéns pela matéria. Bom final de semana e com muita saúde.

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  7. Dearest Martha Jane,
    A fun glass that evokes lots of conversations, memories and laughter.
    Yes, there are moments that we could hide children behind the wallpaper, as we say in Dutch!
    But those are just 'moments', that evolved due to an emotion, often fed by a little anger or feeling annoyed.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I love that Dutch saying, Mariette, because that's exactly how we feel at times when their behavior causes a scene. I have a very vivid memory of Sarah creating one of those in a mall about the age of four. Yes, those things happen, but love never ceases.
      Love and blessings!

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    2. Aren’t we fortunate to have a Father that loves us beyond our understanding? The love of God never ceases. Thank you, Martha for this good word. Love and blessings.

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    3. Yes, Nells, we are most fortunate! How deep and wide is the Father's love for us.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. He loved us before we loved Him, I find that incomprehensible and such a precious thought. His love never changes! I love your cup :)

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    1. Absolutely, Marja! Because God first loved us, we can give love back to Him. Such a marvelous gift!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Love your cute glass! That is a great gift! My boys both have those t-shirts that say "I'm Mom's Favorite", and even Lily Grace has one too. We've had some fun with that. But yes, we love all our kids the same no matter what they may do or not do! And God is the same way...He loves all His children equally. "And those whom He loves, He chastens" (Heb. 12:6) Sometimes we need discipline, as do our children. But again, that is because we are loved that we are disciplined. So thankful that God never gives up on us, but keeps helping us to grow into the people He intends for us to be.

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    1. I'm so glad God never gives up on us either, Pamela! And yes, I recalled those t-shirts you shared in one of your posts when I was writing this. So much fun when siblings can laugh and joke about being the favorite. Glad you liked the glass, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. What an encouraging reminder, Martha. In these days when division and conflict surround us, it's wonderfully uplifting to know that we have one Father and the love that made us His knows no favorites. The Smothers Brothers may claim an exemption, but the rest of us who who have children would take issue with that. The truth for most of us is that all of our children share the same space in our hearts and no internal squabbles will ever change that. Another uplifting pied well done.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ron, for your kind words here today. And yes, in these polarized and divisive times, it is such a great comfort to know God loves each and every one of us just the same. Just knowing this helps me to love others, even though we might not see eye-to-eye, because Jesus commanded us to do just that.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. I oft think of the love my adoptive parents have shown to me. In those moments, I thank God for giving His love to them so they could share it with a young fella who needed a whole lot of love. Thank you for this post my friend. You brought a smile.

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    1. I'm glad this post made you smile, J. D., and grateful to know that you had such loving adoptive parents who made all the difference in your life. God is good, all the time.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Martha, the glass from Sarah is hilarious! And what a great analogy with the great love of our heavenly Father. Nothing we could ever do would cause Him to ever love us less.

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    1. I thought the glass was so funny, too, Karen. What a great gift! So glad that God loves us just the way we are.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Just this past week i told my youngest daughter that nothing she would ever do could stop this father from loving her. I have two favorite daughters and wouldn't trade either of them for all the money in the world. 'Course I am their favorite father.

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    1. Of course, you are, Bill! It's so true though, isn't it? We love our children no matter what, and God loves us just the same.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. Boa tarde meus amigos queridos. Obrigado pela visita e carinho.

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  15. We're all favourites - taken into favour in the Beloved!

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  16. We are the beloved of our Father. Phew...when we really grasp that it is life changing. Beautiful post, Martha!

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    1. I know, Diane! It is a concept so difficult to wrap our heads around, yet it is immeasurably true.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Thanking God for his amazing grace for all of us prodigals!
    Blessings!

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    1. Amen, Loralu! Oh, how He loves us.
      Love and blessings!

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  18. Although I suppose I wouldn't mind if God wanted to favorite me, I really am glad he doesn't play favorites. :) It's such a miracle how he can love us all the same, regardless of what we do or don't do. He's such a great example for us on loving our own children equally. Thanks for sharing your glass, Martha. Such a fun one. :)

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    1. Glad you liked the glass, Lisa! Yes, I agree, that it is a miracle that God loves us all the same and doesn't play favorites, even when we think He should.
      Love and blessings!

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  19. Mind-boggling to think about--that God loves me as much as he loves Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Charles Spurgeon, etc. Thank you, Martha!

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    1. It is most definitely mind-boggling, Nancy. So grateful that God loves each of us the same, without exception.
      Love and blessings!

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  20. Exactly what I used tell the high school students who came to me for counseling. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love. Beautiful!

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    1. What a great message you shared with those students, Laurie! Yes, God's love is boundless and bountiful.
      Love and blessings!

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. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...