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This week's focus: Rejoice

"I love you forever; I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be" is an excerpt from a children's book I read to my girls when they were little. It must have impacted them because my Mother's Day gift from a few years ago was a framed print that included these words. In the book, a mother sings this to her young son, continuing to do so through each stage of his life—even during the rebellious years. As time passed and both grew older, the mother became sick and too frail to sing anymore. However, her love, time, and tears were not without reward when she heard him sing this lullaby back to her, "I love you forever; I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy, you'll be."

A godly mother's love for her children mirrors the heart of our Heavenly Father. In Isaiah 66:13, God beautifully illustrates this when He says, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you…" We know that mothers have a unique gift in this area because "I want my mommy" is usually the first thing a child cries when hurt, scared, lonely, or sad. Both mother and father are essential (as each reflects a different aspect of God), but the roles differ. Good mothers instinctively model how God displays His love when we read Zephaniah 3:17, "…He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Now that my daughters are grown, I understand why God lovingly refers to us as His children, not His adults. (Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - John 1:12.) The moment we put our trust and faith in Jesus, we experience the miracle of being born into God's family; we become His "little ones" whom He loves unconditionally and eternally.

It is a blessing that our Heavenly Father sings and rejoices over His children. Even more so is the blessing of singing our praises back to Him—we get to love Him forever.

by: Jennifer McAlister for My Faith Votes