The older I become, the more I realize that I have let the love shown to me in the past go unnoticed. I guess our present economic conditions and seeing how hard it is now, to make the financial ends meet in raising children, has gotten me to thinking. The new ball glove that I received, the new suit on Easter, the new school clothes all came to me from mother and dad with a sacrifice. I did not see it then, but now I realize mother probably postponed buying her new shoes and dad probably continued wearing the same suit. Mother spent endless hours waiting on me at ball practice. When I was in high school, dad took one of the cars to work, and mother stayed home letting me take the other car to school. We lived in the country, and she was stuck at home all day without a way to go. This is unheard of now.
I understand now, if I went somewhere special, mother or dad probably went without something so I could go. Dad worked at night so mother went to all of my football games. The stress and sleepless nights they endured I only now realize. I wonder what they went without, so we could enjoy a good Christmas every year. I know now they have mentioned my name in prayer over and over throughout the years. Many go a lifetime without anyone ever mentioning their name in prayer.
What was unnoticed as a child is now acknowledged. The love that I have for my children shows me the love mother and dad have for me. Their love hasn't changed, I am just mature enough to see it now. I also can look back at their unnoticed love and cherish it today.
I also see all those years that God's love went unnoticed. The many years I was trying to get everything together with my job, family, and other things, I let God's love for me go unnoticed. I would always question when things got tough where He was, or why was I going through trials in the first place.
When I started counting the blessings He has given me, I began recognizing the unnoticed love of years past. He blessed me with a beautiful wife and two beautiful, healthy daughters. I live in the best country in the world. I have freedom. I have been taught His word. He gave me two loving parents to raise me .
I was not born in a country that does not believe in God, which is a great blessing. No matter what happens in this life I know if I remain faithful to Him, I will one day be with Him in heaven for all eternity.
God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8) There is not anything created that can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:39) Do we understand what He said? Nothing, nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Mother and dad sacrificed for me, so I could have a comfortable loving home when I was a child. God has sacrificed His son Jesus, so I can have a comfortable home with Him when I leave this life.
I show my parents my love for them by, living right, helping them without them asking, and calling them every day. It is not a task to do these things for them. I show God that I love Him by keeping His commandments, studying His word, and praying to Him everyday. (Read 1John 5:3) God knows I love Him when I desire to live like Christ.
Today, do you have any unnoticed love in your past? Did you notice this morning the sun is still shining? Do you know God loves you? Did you know that He wants you to be with Him forever, and He has even made a plan for you to obey, to get there? You can be going through all kinds of trials, but He doesn't plan for you to have those trials forever. Remember, and I will too, this life is a second compared to eternity. This life will pass.
As you read this, put everything in your life on a shelf for a moment, and reflect on the unnoticed love you have received from God and loved ones. Now, from this moment forward change it from unnoticed to noticed.
Please send your comments to rhepler52@gmail.com . Believe me, your comments do not go "unnoticed".
Have a great day!
Rick Hepler
