God is LOVE

Posted by Erin Wilson On Thursday, December 24, 2009 2 comments
We just got home from Charleston, unpacked, put up a Christmas tree, and opened a million packages that were sitting at our door. Some were Christmas presents that we purchased for the girls as we did most of our shopping online this year. Several boxes were for Josiah from long term medical (I think we are going to end up with quite a medical supply center here, just in case anyone ever needs anything). There were two boxes however, shipped from the other side of the country, Washington state. I couldn't figure out who this was from, we don't know anyone from Washington. I opened the two boxes which were filled with Christmas presents for our whole family and a simple precious note that read, "Given in Loving Memory of our Grandson Hudson Alvin Skiff December 22, 2008- April 11, 2009." Thank you God for this precious family. I just began to cry as I was so humbled by this gesture. We are so loved by people we know and people we have never meet. Which ultimately brings me back to the fact that God loves us so deeply. God brought to the front of my mind at that point this scripture from 1 John 4. I love the way the Message translates this passage

7-10My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.

11-12My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

13-16This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

To Love, to Be Loved
17-18God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

19We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.


God thank you for this reminder of your love and the reason for Christmas, from this family who is at this time grieving their own loss. What selfless love they have shown us and as your word says we love because You first loved us.

Thank you so much to the Timm family. Your gesture has touched our hearts deeply.


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2 comments to God is LOVE

  1. says:
    December 24, 2009 at 3:46 AM

    Mike Skiff God truly is LOVE - it's amazing how He works in mysterious ways and interweaves people's paths that would never occur otherwise. Malynda and I were unaware of this very kind gesture either and were just as shocked to read this update as I'm sure you were to receive gifts from across the country! Needless to say, we were overwhelmed as well, but also not surprised - this is how they live their lives - just as you so beautifully described right out of God's Word. We're blessed to be a part of their family, and are so grateful for individuals who truly live out the words in 1 John 4. We continue to lift up Josiah and ALL of you in prayer - especially over Christmas as it seems like just yesterday we were there with our Warrior shortly after his birth. We pray for ALL of his goals to be met and for you all to be able to take him home healthy and strong VERY SOON! Blessings to you all, and a very Merry Christmas from the Skiffs!

  1. says:
    December 27, 2009 at 10:16 PM

    Janice Fleming I am touched by your faith and love as you have lived this struggle for so many days and months. I am praying for Josiah and for each of you today.
    Love in Christ,
    Janice Fleming (Peggy Shirley's friend)

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