The child had begun to steal small change from his mother’s dresser drawer. He knew she kept her money there because once she had sent him to fetch what she owed the babysitter. But now it had become a snare. Torn between guilt and greed, mostly he was terrified that she would find out.
That day did indeed come. “Has anyone taken money from my dresser?” she asked at dinner. The truth came out, and consequences followed. I’ve ruined everything! How can they trust me now? How can they still love me?
We can all relate to this young child. Our sin makes us wonder how God can still love us. How can we be satisfied by His love when we feel like we’re on probation? In today’s reading Paul assures us not only that God loves us, but that we are surrounded by the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father loved us while we were still sinners. The Spirit pours out that love into our hearts. And nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Nothing! Neither sin nor suffering can break the grip of our Triune God.