See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

~1 John 3:1 NKJV

Mmmmm… That bowl of butter-cream icing looks yummy. It is ready to be lavished on three perfect cake layers. Oh, wait a minute. They’re not perfect. One cake is split and another has a missing piece that stuck to the pan. However, once I lavish them with this luscious topping, they will look beautiful.

Just like the icing smooths out the imperfections of the cakes, we look to our Heavenly Father who perfects us by lavishing His love upon us. His love covers our imperfections until all that can be seen is the beauty of Jesus within us.

Lavish! 1 John 3:1 references a rich word. It reminds me of the woman who lavished the head of Jesus with the most valuable thing she owned—she donned Her Savior’s crown with the perfumed oil of her dowry. She did not hold back, but she gave her most cherished possession. (see Mark 14:3 to read her story)

Let’s define “lavish.” It means, “to give in profusion, or great amounts, or without limits.” Don’t you just love this word? Lavish! Say it and see how it feels in your mouth. Just like the lovely cake, this word almost makes your mouth water. It is so rich. It’s like tasting the icing on the spatula you ice the cake with.

Take a moment to step into the world of imagination. Take more than a sample spoonful of the word, lavish. Don’t be satisfied to taste a sample. Fill your mouth with this word, lavish. Why? Father God has a limitless supply of love for you. He has lavished you with more love than we can imagine. That’s what our Heavenly Father gives to us, because we are His children. He continually pours out His love on us, in us, and through us. He fills us to overflowing. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit we can share His marvelous love with everyone.

We desire to pour out love on our family, our friends, and others we encounter as we go about our day. We want them to know they are loved. The love we share is only a small sampling of the enormous love the Father has for them, and He entrusts us to be His representative.

Not only does Father God lavish His love on and through us, but He also lavishes us with unlimited grace.

~Glenda Shouse

Not only does Father God lavish His love on and through us, but He also lavishes us with unlimited grace. Paul shares, “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV).

What a marvelous Father we have! He covers us and fills us with His love and grace.  “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”  (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

Share an experience where you were aware of God’s lavish love.

Father God, I receive the lavish love and grace You pour into my life. Help me  to be Your representative, sharing Your love  and grace with others. Amen

Copyright 2019: The Perfect Cake: Author Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved 

Published April 2020: Taste and See Conference Bulletin: Conference Host Judy Taylor. (UPDATE: Pending due to corona virus.)

Meet Our Contributor

GLENDA SHOUSE

Glenda Shouse is a devotion writer. She is published at Christian Devotions Ministries, PresbyCan, The Upper Room, and VineWords: Devotions and More. She is working alongside  friends to complete her first devotional book entitled, Love-Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships.

Glenda’s prayer shawl ministry, Three-Strand Cord, focuses on imparting hope to ladies going through difficult times. Each recipient is gifted with a hand-crocheted or knitted prayer shawl.  When possible, Glenda delivers these shawls personally, and prays for each individual.

Those who know Glenda well, are aware of her gifting as a prayer warrior. She is a powerhouse of prayer, because she has a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Glenda is passionate about praying.

In her spare time, Glenda enjoys her role as “Grammy” to her two grandsons. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, and knitting.

CONNECT WITH GLENDA SHOUSE AT:

Glenda Shouse Three Strand Cord Facebook