Just Because

I recently received an unexpected check that had "Just because" written in the memo. It surprised me mostly because the givers have never given me a personal gift before and really have no reason or obligation to be blessing me with a gift of any kind. That is what made it even more surprising and special.

God does things like that for us all the time. He sends a cooling rain on a hot summer day, He warms the winter days with sunshine, He gives an encouraging song to the birds and smiling faces to the flowers just because He loves us.

My five year old granddaughter understands just how special she is to God. Here is her story written by her mother:

Pink Clouds

by Piper Hawkins Koeppen

 

I took Addison to McDonald's today and let her get a soda...I know, it's not good for her, but she was really good today and I just couldn't help it; she's my sweetheart. Later this afternoon we were driving home and she was whining about something. I finally had to say in a stern voice, "Addison, that's enough! No more whining!" Shortly after, she was still whining a bit and I decided I needed a Starbucks. She wanted a steamer, I knew I shouldn't get her one, she'd already had a soda AND she was being naughty....but I got her one anyway...I couldn't help it, she's my sweetheart. As we pulled away, with her steamer in hand, she whispered, "Mommy look!" I turned to see what she was pointing toward and there was the horizon with the sun beginning to set. Smiling she simply said, "See Jesus painted me pink clouds today." Right then I heard Him whisper, "I couldn't help it, she's my sweetheart."

God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. (Deut. 7:6) You don't have to take my word for it. It is all through the Bible how much God loves us. We are His treasure. He keeps us safely tucked away from harm in His "treasure pouch" 1 Samuel 25:29

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)


God doesn't have to do anything for us, but He does just because!

Additional scriptures:

John 3:16 (Whole Chapter)
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.




Ephesians 1:4 (Whole Chapter)
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.


Exodus 19:5 (Whole Chapter)
Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.

Deuteronomy 7:6 (Whole Chapter)
For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

Deuteronomy 14:2 (Whole Chapter)
You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.

Deuteronomy 26:18 (Whole Chapter)
The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands.

1 Samuel 25:29 (Whole Chapter)
“Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling!

Malachi 3:17 (Whole Chapter)
“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.