She walked into church with her three boys. As the boys jostled to get into the pew, I noticed they followed a particular pattern laid out by their mom as they found their place. The oldest boy went in first, followed by the mom. Then the other two boys were last. The final boy didn’t want to sit on the end of the pew. He actually wanted to sit by his mom but was told no. He sat down with a dejected look on his face which the mom noticed with a watchful eye.

I watched this family as the service got started. The boy on the end with the rumpled curly hair didn’t seem happy, but mom would glance over at him to confirm he was ok. He wasn’t really ok, and he sulked. Mom noticed but didn’t call him out. When we stood to sing, he was fidgety. She tapped him on the shoulder and said to stand still. The other two boys were standing still and acting content. Of course. They were both standing next to mom. One on each side.

As the service continued, the curly hair boy asked his mom if he could stand by her. She said he would need to ask his brother if he could switch places. Brother said no. Mom knew curly hair was needing her love, so she motioned for him to stand in front of her because both sides were occupied by the other boys. He gladly climbed past his brother to stand in front of mom, where she put her arms around him. He stayed in that position for only a few minutes and then sat back down and began drawing pictures.

A little later, he asked the brother on the other side of mom if he could sandwich between the two of them as they were standing. The older brother obliged, but instead of standing he sat between them as they were still standing. When everyone sat down, he finally crawled onto his mom’s lap. And as she placed her arms around him in a warm embrace, he laid his head back onto her shoulder. Content at last, he was in his mother’s arms. He reached back and wrapped his arms around the back of her head. She tousled his curly hair in love, and when their eyes met his eyes were filled with love and contentment. He was safe at home in his mother’s arms. All was right in his world.

He didn’t stay long on his mom’s lap. He soon had enough and moved back to the end of the pew where he sat contentedly until it was time to leave for children’s church. He just needed the reassurance that he was still hers even though he wasn’t seated next to her.

I don’t know why this particular son was unsettled. Both of the other boys sat still and stood quietly near their mom. But then. They didn’t have to fight to be near her. They both had the assigned place near her for as long as they needed. The third boy had to fight to get near her. At one point, he squeezed his fist tight and slowly brought it to the back of his brother’s head, as if to punch him. But no punch was made. No touch was made. His brother never knew. Perhaps he was acting out his hidden frustrations.

Who knows. Perhaps the three boys have to take turns sitting beside mom each week, since there are three boys and only two sides of mom. And this Sunday the curly haired boy was out of luck, but he was doing everything he could to get some mom time. He desperately needed reassurance of her love.

The mom would occasionally glance at each of the boys, one by one, with pure love in her eyes. It was obvious she cared deeply about these kids and wanted the best for them. She was training them the discipline of behaving and worshiping in church with adults. It was a moving scene if you were noticing.

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But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

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Our Heavenly Father shows his love for his children in a multitude of ways. He shows his love by holding us close when we are facing a difficult situation. By disciplining us when we go astray. By bringing us into fellowship with like believers. By providing for our needs. By hearing our prayers and answering them in accordance with his will. By showing favor on us.

We may not always feel physically close to God, but we can be sure that he has his eye on us. If his eye is on the sparrow, then he surely watches over those who call on his name. He knows when it’s our time to feel his presence near and dear to us. He knows when we’ve moved a little further from him. He always knows our name.

But most of all. God showed his supreme love for us by giving his Son sacrificially on the cross to die for our sins. He provided an alternate offering instead of asking each of us to die for our own sins. He punished his son for our sins, so we could have eternal life. And he willingly forgives us of our sins when we ask him. When we repent and bow to him, he forgives us and wipes our sinful slate clean.

The God of the universe created all of mankind to serve him. He created us with a love and purpose. He is the lover of our souls.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.

~Stuart Townend