"For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

Listen closely.  Do you hear it?

It's the sound of me telling my son, Jacob...

..."your daddy loves you!"

You see, Jacob (our 15 month old baby boy) hears those four words quite often around our home.  I find myself saying them to him (in a language only a baby could understand :-) frequently throughout our day together.

Sometimes I say, "Your daddy loves you" when Jacob is upset about something.  I say those words to comfort him in times that something has caused him fright or when he doesn't feel well.  It's my way of saying, "I understand son.  And I'm going to do all that I can to make you feel better today."

At other times, I say, "Your daddy loves you" to encourage Jacob.  Whether it's after I've asked him to smile and he does or when he is being agreeable during a diaper change or as he is trying to crawl for the first time, I use those words to say "Well done.  I'm proud of you.  Keep up the good work."

And, there are also times that I say, "Your daddy loves you" when Jacob needs correcting.  When he tries to get into things he shouldn’t or when he bites (ouch) or when he does anything he isn’t supposed to do, I often use those words simply to say, "No, no, son.  Don't do that.  Daddy's got better plans for you."

There are many occasions that I say those words throughout the day.  But, my favorite reason to say them is for no particular reason at all.  I say them to Jacob just because I want to say, "I love you.  You are my child, and I love you."

You know, I find that our Heavenly Father says those same things to us throughout the day, doesn't He? 

Sometimes He says, "Your daddy loves you" to bring us comfort when we are frightened or worried.  Other times He says those words to encourage us for a job well done.  And, of course, there are those times that He has to correct us and chasten us.  But, even this is done out of love. 

And I think that God says those words to us for His personal favorite reason...

...just because He wants to say, "I love you.  You are my child, and I love you."

Christian, I don't know what you are facing today, but God does.  Perhaps you are worried or frightened.  Or, maybe you have been very faithful to serving God.  Or possibly you need to be corrected.  It could be you just need to hear that God cares about you this morning.

Whatever situation you face today...

...Listen closely.  Do you hear it?

It's the sound of your Heavenly Father saying to you...

..."your daddy loves you!"