My life got completely re-arranged about 8 weeks ago.  When this little man entered into the picture, my priorities shifted and the way that I understood the love of God, our heavenly father, was put into a new perspective.  It's unbelievable how much love I can have for my little man.  In an instant, I was overwhelmed with love for Elijah for no other reason than the fact that he was my son.  From the moment I first held him and every second since then, my heart has been filled with love for my little boy.   There is nothing better than coming home from a difficult day at work and cuddling with my baby.  There is nothing better than getting ready for bed and reading the bible to my wife and son.

I love my son so much.  And it blows my mind to think that the amount of love that I have for my son pales in comparison to the love that God has for me.

I love you this much.

When we talk about the magnitude of the love that our heavenly father has for us, it is quite easy to look around and point out how we know that God loves us.  We can point to the beautiful creation that God has placed us in.  We can point to the ways that God has provided for us in difficult times.  We can point to the families that God has put us in.  But there is nothing that shows how much the heavenly father loves us more than the death of Jesus.

I love Eli and would do anything for him because he is my boy; this love that I have is just a shadow of the the love that God has for us.  It blows my mind to think that God had so much love for me that he was willing to suffer and die so that I might be called his child.  There is no better place to see the love of the Father than to look at the sacrifice of the Son.

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? - John 14:8-9

Jesus makes it clear; when you look at Jesus, you will see the Father.  Do you want to know the love that the Father has, look at the love displayed in the life and death of Jesus?  If you want to know how much the father loves you, the answer is very clear.   Look at the cross and see the arms of Jesus stretched out wide as he says, "I love you this much."