Overwhelming Love

Some days, some hours, some moments, I am overwhelmed by the love of my children.
"Love" being their insatiable neediness for my attention and affection.

The constant clamoring to be noticed and heard,

The tugging at my clothes and climbing up my legs while trying to have a conversation;

The laying on my feet while cooking dinner,

The sitting on me when I attempt to do stretches.
The rivalry over the coveted space on my lap.

"Mommy, look at this!" 

"Mommy, listen to this!"

"Mommy, watch me!"

"Mommy, play with me!"

The exuberant greeting when I return after an hour as if I have been gone for weeks.

The following me into the bathroom and invading my shower.

The (usual) preference for me above any other human being. 

I never imagined I could be so wanted and loved!

At times it is more than I can bear,

But, knowing it will not last forever -

I am learning to embrace the love and pour into the need.

Even as I wrote those words, I was reminded - 

I have always been so loved. 

Loved with a Love that is overwhelmingly more than I can bear;

A Love that can abundantly fill my own insatiable need for attention and affection.

A Love that will last forever.

I want to love God more like the way my children love me:

With a continuous desire to grab my Father's attention and soak in His affection,

Delighting in conversation with the Divine about the mundane,

Clinging onto Him in my desperation for His favor,

Laying at the feet of Jesus watching Him work,
Climbing into my Abba's lap for comfort,

Eagerly awaiting His presence with joyful expectancy,

Following Jesus wherever He goes,

Preferring Jesus above anything and anyone in all of creation.

I know He can handle it. In fact, He welcomes this kind of overwhelming, overbearing love. 

He is asking for it, calling for me to come and love and be loved.

Thanks, kiddos, for loving me with an overwhelming love. 

May you come to know the Overwhelming Love of God -
A Love that can fill the chasms in our souls
A Love that can heal the wounds in our hearts
A Love that loves without limit
A Love that lasts forever.