By Glenn Miller

GOD’S WORD: “See what love the Father has given us that we may be called the children of God.” – 1 John 1:3

In the infamous Elvis ballad by the same name as this title we hear a story of unrequited love; someone refusing to accept the gift of love from another. Have you ever been there? Have you ever offered love to someone else just to have it returned to you marked “return to sender?”

It seems unnatural.

It seems irrational.

It hurts.

Our understanding of giving ourselves to one another calls us to a spirit of agape love; unconditional love. Jesus told us to “love one another as I have loved you.” But sometimes others refuse our gift or neglect it for other selfish reasons. Being on the return-end of this dilemma recently, I came to realize just how God must feel every time we reject His love for us (often by looking for love in all the wrong places) and mark it “return to sender.”

God offers us His loving hand during our trials and too often we say “I can do it myself.”

God offers His loving providence when our spiritual resources run low and we say “No thanks, I need other man-made resources.”

God offers His love to use through others around us every day, but our pride causes us to hide behind our masks and proclaim “I’m OK.”

I like how I once heard God’s blessings described: that we’re under Niagara Falls holding a tiny cup asking Him to fill it for us. God’s blessings are all around us. His help is forever near. His love and mercy are never ending. All we have to do is be open to letting Him love us the way He wants to love us. 

 After all, He knows we need His perfect love above all things.