Some individuals have never known or attempted to understand how God can help them in their lives. I’ve known those who haven’t even tried to find out. Recently, a friend came to me after church and said, “Sometime, let’s talk. I have something to share with you. It’s about what started me on a path for letting God help me when I was a little child.”

When we arranged a time, Maggie shared this story.

“When I was a very young child, my father disappeared from the family. I was not told anything about where he was or why he left. It felt terrible to be an only child, left out of adult conversations, unable to interact so as to understand. I had no comprehension of what would come next in life except it would probably be the same ol’ same ol’ as yesterday. I was lonely, having only adults around me.

One day, I was invited to attend Sunday school by a neighboring family. There had not been any mention of God or church during my early years, but I went anyway.

It was so nice to be with this group of kids. We listened to the Bible story the teacher was sharing. We were about to finish when she asked the class to bow our heads, close our eyes and talk with God.

I thought doubtfully to myself, “Oh, I’m sure that’s going to work with kids like us!”

Then the teacher, who happened to be the pastor’s wife, said, “I talk to God while sweeping the floor.”

Wow! A light bulb turned on! And, as the little girl, nine years old, I told myself, ‘this is great! I can talk to God.’

From then on I often talked to God. At times, in the evenings, I rode my bike up to a bridge nearby to watch the sunset and talk with God. Although I could not see Him, I knew He was right there with me. It was all so inspiring!

Faith took root for me and it has lasted throughout my entire life. Even today, I still cherish a mental picture of the Sunday school teacher sweeping her floor while being in close communication with God.”

It sounds so simple. And, how true it is that coming to know God and the help He brings to a person is not at all hard. It is something amazing. In fact Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3)

It takes laying down our self-assuredness and saying, “I need your help,” for God to come onboard with daily, comfortable communing within one’s life. He doesn’t take from our lives, but rather He greatly enhances us through “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” (Philippians 4:7). Maggie found that.

Married at age 26, God has gifted her with three children and two grandchildren with whom she shares her faith. Now, in her mid-90s, Maggie is one of the most interactive and intelligent women any of us can meet. She shines in personality as her faith in and enjoyment of God is her obvious mainstay.

I originally met Maggie in our church congregation. Until more recently, she was telephoning periodically, aligned teams within the church laity who are trained to serve in rotation during the distribution of communion during our services. Still at work advancing our Lord’s call, Maggie is a “prayer warrior” within the church, working with a list of names she keeps at her bedside. A love of life—and a love for God and others is what stands out with this friend. Maggie spreads a little light and love wherever she goes.

Years ago while driving down the road in my vintage wine-colored Monte Carlo—favorite of all my cars—I realized the meaning of “unconditional love.” At the time, I had been married to my husband Gary for 30 years. He is not one who easily says, “I love you.” Yet, he is one who shows it throughout every avenue of our lives.

As a child, my parents’ love was never spoken—yet shown through the ways family needs were provided: the roof over head, food on the table, clothing and supplies for school. Yet, I did not hear, “I love you” from parents striving to make ends meet. Instead, I learned I had “better behave.” The importance of gaining my parent’s good pleasure became eminently important to me. So, doing all possible to gain it, was my childhood quest. The message, “Love will always be here for you,” was not perceived by me.  No. The message that stuck was all about chores, being smart—getting good grades–and behaving. “You had better not mess up!” was the major message.

I did grow into loving, more than fearing, my parents as an adult. But, as a kid, I held more fear of them than any other emotion. Maybe this is normal for a lot of people. Or, maybe most children are hugged daily and told, “I love you.” We only know our own experience.

Finding love of any kind in life’s journey is the highest of all quests, finding unconditional love is a pinnacle that I dare to say few truly reach.

Our early experiences within childhood, are brought into our marriages. In my first marriage at age 17, right out of high school, the honeymoon was short. It was however, a brief experience of being adored. Whoa. That was a first. Yet, within only a number of days, I knew the hand of authority was back. The old fear of not being enough or good enough was fully felt. This lasted eight years . . . eight years of figuring out that living in constant fear was no way to live. So, the only healthy choice was to leave. The soul ripping process of divorce became inevitable for the sake of safety and sanity.

Four years later, I started dating Gary, I knew he was different from any one I had ever met, yet my early programming was so linked to “pleasing” others that I had an unspoken fear of “when is the heavy hand going to come down on my back.” Yet, that never happened. Still, that inner angst was there… expecting the worst. So, that day after 30 years of marriage, while driving down the road, I realized something about God that was actually happening in my life: unconditional love! Who knew it existed—and is real?  Finding it in a human form through Gary, allowed me to comprehend the magnanimous love that He has for us. I remember the day so clearly, while driving, when the realization came: Gary only saw me as good. My flaws, well—flaws happen. He looked beyond those. Then, I remembered something my father said after having a dream.

Dad experienced a scar-filled childhood. He, too, feared his father throughout life and was sure “that guy” would not be in heaven. Although, during his later years my grandfather had changed and was in church every Sunday.

As my father was nearing death he shared a dream in which his mother and father  were walking arm-in-arm into a huge banquet room—in heaven. He knew it was heaven, but he couldn’t believe his Dad was there. Then, within the dream Dad heard these words, “I only see the good.” Voila! Here is love—unconditional love. And, this is the message God has for us.

And, this is the truest and greatest gift of Christmas. God looked past the sin, the brokenness of this world, and sent His Son to save us from ourselves. Left alone, there would be no eternity with God for any one of us. But, Jesus came to us, knowing He would shed His blood to cover the tab for our mis-steppings, and all the grossness that comes through the human race’s self-importance and self-adoration. Now, through Him, God sees “price paid” as He cherishes His children. It is the all-pervading, all accepting love of God that has provided this truth for God’s children: He only sees the good!

Here is an amazing truth from John 1:5, 12, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Now, for verse 12 of John 1, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

What a difference it makes to grasp this truth. For, it is the truth of God’s unconditional love that empowers and impassions those He calls—and we know when that call comes!