The first time I read the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, I cried. That book truly helped me understand the precious heart of God. Written in 1991 but adapted to film last year, the story represents the Biblical theme of Hosea and Gomer. Their marriage and relationship further demonstrate God’s relentless pursuit of us. He never gives up on us. God is always faithful to come after us again and again and again. That is His heart.
Let me shift for a brief moment to tell you about my dearest friend Kim, who I’ve known since childhood. She was president of our class, dance captain, homecoming queen, and liked by everyone. This success followed her into college, where she was president of her sorority. We were bridesmaids at each other’s weddings and hosted each other’s baby showers. Kim had a very successful career in business and was admired by her colleagues. She was very active with the American Heart Association, specifically the Go Red for Women movement.
If you have not yet noticed, I speak of Kim in the past tense. That’s because, in April 2021, she passed away from complications following a stroke. It was incredibly heartbreaking. Six of us had remained very close since our young days, and the five of us remaining were selected to be Kim’s pallbearers. Kim was a champion of women, and I believe we honored her that day by carrying her casket with the strength of the love we shared.
Kim often came to me with questions regarding God and religion. She was open and transparent about her thoughts and doubts. The hardest thing for her to understand was that the God of the universe could love her just for her. Not for the success she experienced, not for the challenges she overcame, and not for the strength she possessed. She worked hard to earn every success she enjoyed. It was hard for her (and often for us) to understand that we don’t have to do a single thing to earn God’s love. But the fact is, we can’t.
Our last conversation together was about God and His mighty love for her. Neither of us knew that would be the last time we would speak, but I look back on it with joy as she held my hand and allowed me to pray over her.
That is the heart of our God; to love us and never tire in His pursuit of us. As women, we can be strong, but that’s not why He loves us. We can be successful, but that’s not why He loves us. We can even use our influence for His good, and yet, that is NOT why He loves us. He loves us just because that is His heart. He loves you, whether you work hard in this world or lie on the couch for the rest of your life.
As we enter this week before Valentine’s Day, consider the love of God. Who can you share it with? Who needs to hear it? Who can you demonstrate it to in just your actions? Wherever God has placed you in this world, in your family, among your friends, and within your career, He wants to reveal His love through the people you encounter. Let your heart reveal the heart of God.
Amy Schmidt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), serving as part of the team at Thalia Therapy & Wellness in Overland Park. She works with adult and teenage individuals, families, and couples, with the priority to help clients feel safe and seen with empathy and compassion. Amy believes we can all feel stuck or lost sometimes, and she is here to provide a supportive space to work through life’s difficulties.
Amy is married to Paul, and they have three grown daughters. You can learn more about Amy or contact her by visiting www.thaliacenter.com.
