“Jesus Loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to him belong, They are weak but He is strong.”

I’m sure that any of us that have even a smidgen of a church background knows this tune. How many times have we recited it with no more of a thought of what we are saying than if we were singing the “give me back my filet o fish give me my fish” McDonald’s jingle? (I’m guilty!) Early in the wee-morning hours, I awoke with this song playing over and over in my head. I was somewhat sleepy and just wanted to drift back into never-land, when I felt that all too familiar (and wonderful) nudge to plunge deeper into the portals of my spirit and answer the question:

Jesus Loves me…How do I know?…..only because the Bible tells me so? My sleepy soul arose as if out of a deep slumber as I answered – I know because –

Every morning when I open my eyes, the sweet presence of the Father is there to greet me and He goes with me throughout the day.

Sometimes He is a silent companion that I know “has my back!”

Sometimes He asks me questions that I know my answer is pretty much null and I’m headed towards a life lesson.

Sometimes we embark on a conversation concerning others and how much they need Him.

Sometimes we talk about how much I need him.

Sometimes we just talk about things like the sky, pretty flowers, magnificent trees, slimy snails, thunderstorms, the ocean, seashells and chocolate, sweet chocolate…

Sometimes we laugh together and sometimes He holds me when I cry.

Sometimes He waits patiently as I try to figure something out.

Sometimes He speaks loudly when He wants my attention to do something for Him.

Sometimes He speaks softly just to remind me that He is there.

Sometimes I just can’t help but to sing to Him because He is so worthy!

Sometimes I am just speechless as I stand in awe of His magnificence.

Sometimes He helps me to help others make it through their day.

Sometimes He just helps me to make it through mine without going all Bloomingdale on some deserving fellow human ;p

Sometimes He compels me to do peculiar things (like stopping in the pouring rain to give an umbrella to a complete stranger)

Sometimes He compels others to do peculiar things for me (like bring me fresh flowers or truffles or tires for my van)

Living a life in relationship with the Master of the Universe, Creator of all things, Most Holy, Almighty Living God – well sometimes you just don’t know what the day will bring…

But ALL times I know one thing – HE IS WITH ME!

Through thick and thin, good and bad, struggles and victories – He is always, always with me!

From the minute I open my eyes, to when I lay my weary head down to rest, He is with me.

Even when I sleep, He is watching over me!

I know that I know that I know – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that Jesus loves me!! Otherwise He would have never given his life in order for me to experience the gift of this “ever-present” presence of my wonderful God and Father! It was love that gave him the strength to endure the beatings. It was love that led him up that hill. It was love that kept him nailed to the cross and it was love that invaded the depths of hell and took back what belonged to me in the first place – unbroken fellowship with the Father! From the moment the curtain was torn in twain from the top to the bottom, His omnipresence broke the boundaries of time and space and inhabited the hearts and lives of all those who call out to Him.

Do you know that Jesus loves YOU? How do you know? Did you read it? Has someone just told you that He does? Or do you live everyday knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that His blood was shed for YOU? Do you know that you know that you know that YES! Jesus loves you!