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Grains of Sand

Did you ever pick up a handful of sand from the beach and wonder how many grains of sand in your hand?

I lived on the beach for years as a teenager, taking morning walks with the bright sun or enjoying evening strolls when the sun began setting. The texture of the sand squished between my toes, the sound of lapping water flooded my ears, and the scent of sea air permeated my nostrils. Agua blue water greeted the far off horizon and the sand filled beach traveled out of sight as I walked. I often wondered about how God made the water and the shore; the beach drew me into a sense of awe.

How many handfuls of sand are on the beach and how many grains of sand are in a handful of sand? Too many to count or calculate, but God’s thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. How can that be? I do not know.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand! Psalm 139:17, 18 (NLT)

Comprehending God’s boundless love is beyond our grasp, yet God loves us.

In the daily routine of life with work and caring for family, I am preoccupied with the needs of others and myself. My busy schedule, stress and the pull from social media hold my mind on overload. To counteract that, I put things in my life that help remind me of God’s love; nature, songs and Scriptures help facilitate reflection.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

No matter what the circumstance or the burden we carry, no matter the loss we experience, God still loves us with an everlasting love. That love is not contingent on our goodness, our worthiness, or our feelings, that love depends on God.

God’s love is not contingent on us

Another Scripture that aids me in remembering God’s continual love is Isaiah 49:16-18.

Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
    walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
    I’d never forget you—never.
Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. Isaiah 49:16-18 (MSG)

God tattooed our names on his hands. Wow! How much love God has for us? Again, comprehending God’s everlasting love is beyond our human ability.

Our names are on God’s hands

All our weaknesses with yesterday’s mistakes, today’s wrong choices and tomorrow’s failures, do not keep God from loving us.

 But I have trusted in your faithful love.
    My heart will rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (CEB)

Embrace God’s special faithful love for you today.

I would love to have a comment from you and for you to share this.