Sweet 16

February 27, 2008

By Scott Harrup

Our daughter, Lindsay, turns 16 today.

This past Christmas she gave our family a DVD she created on her computer. It blended music and about 300 family photos. As we watched the DVD, I couldn’t believe nearly 16 years had gone by since Jodie and I welcomed Lindsay into this world. Today, I’m wondering what the next 16 years hold for our daughter and our family.

But is a “sweet 16” birthday more special than any other? What about birthdays and other anniversaries as compared to any other day?

I promise, I’m one of the most sentimental dads around. But I suspect each day we share the gift of love with someone is as priceless as any other. It’s just that our limited capacity for love needs special days to act as reminders of how blessed we are in our relationships.

That’s not the case with divine love. God loves each of us unwaveringly and passionately. He doesn’t pick a particular day to express to us that love. His love washes over us every second.

The Psalms repeatedly sing of that love.

“For your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth” (Psalm 26:3, NIV).

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” (Psalm 36:5).

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (Psalm 63:3).

“I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself” (Psalm 89:2).

As recipients of God’s love, we can redirect that gift toward others. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can invest every day and every relationship with God’s love.

Maybe Feb. 27, 2008, is just another day to you. It doesn’t have to be. You can transform this day, and each day, by becoming a conduit of the love your Heavenly Father always feels for you.

— Scott Harrup is senior associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.