1 John 4:19 is a familiar Bible verse to many of us. “We love because He first loved us.” Can you just try to imagine the depth of God’s love for us, knowing all that would happen, all the times that we would choose not to follow His plan for us?!! God loves us without reservation, without any action or inaction on our part. He loved us first. From the beginning of time God knew all that would be required to redeem us and still He created us.

God has declared His love for us in so many ways through the centuries. From a burning bush and dry land beneath the middle of a parted Red Sea. From the still, small voice and the belly of a whale. From the cruelest cross that revealed the greatest sacrifice of all and the wind that blew at Pentecost. God has said, “I love you” over and over again. In every celebration of our life and every shadow of death that we have endured. God has been there and continues to whisper His love for us.

So when I heard someone begin their prayer with, “God, I love You too…” it seemed like the perfect way to begin my side of the conversation with the One who loved me first. It might be a good place for you to start today as well.