I love you just because.
Ever since I knew it was possible to love you I have. Since the beginning I’ve known no end. My love simply is. I will always cover you, protect you, encourage you, and relish in the sight of you being you.
You are mine and I am yours—forever.
I love you just because.
My will, my motivation, and my reason to live, is because you do. And, if I need to err on the side of recklessness I will. I will fight for you—do what’s right for you.
I love you radically and with abandon.
I will anticipate your needs and your desires. I will give you all that I have.
I am yours and you are mine—forever.
I love you just because.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. And, everything I can do I have. I will live for you. I will die for you. I will empty myself completely so you will know my love. Nothing you ever do or say will make me love you more or less—whatever it is, whatever life brings, you are covered simply because I love you—profoundly and without measure. It’s just the way it is.
I love you just because.
And, my daily prayer—my sole (soul) desire is that you will know my love always and completely. And, God forbid, when life, without warning, nor discernment, cuts you off at the knees, rips at your flesh, and robs you of your belief in goodness, you will press forward—with fists flying in the face of evil—still believing, if only by your actions, that love wins.
Love is inherently radical.
Love makes the impossible possible.
Like the Biblical story of old, when it was believed there wasn’t enough bread to feed the thousands of hungry and desperate people—it was by resisting the temptation to give up in the face of the facts, the staggering statistics—and by resisting the temptation to walk away from a gross social injustice—one seemingly too big to fix—that the hungry were fed and the desperate given relief.
The one holding the few fish and loaves of bread couldn’t see how it was going to happen but acted knowing it would (Matthew 14:13). This, my child, is what love can do.
I love you just because.
So be fearless. Live fearlessly and radically each day in the assurance that you are loved completely and unconditionally. Nothing can separate us—come hell or high water.
No matter how high you rise I will be with you.
And, if you fall down low, I will be there too.
I will always be with you (Romans 8:38-9).
Just as in the moment you took your first breath and opened your eyes, so will I be with you when you take your last.
This is our love story. Written before time.
I love you just because.
My wish is that you will never know sadness or experience evil. But you will. It will challenge you. It is a fierce and competent competitor. But you also know me. My love is fiercer and more competent than anything this world can bring against you.
Perhaps the poet said it best, “Love conquers all.”
I love you just because.
Remember this—act in this knowledge. Even on the days you doubt me, or my love, or that goodness wins in the long run. Act. Believe anyway. Soon you will see the proof you need to believe:
When the person you feed gives you a bear hug in return…
When the patient you heal smiles through tears of joy…
When you successfully defend a person accused of a crime he didn’t commit fall to his knees in relief.
Yes, soon you will see and your doubt will yield to the gratitude and humility you feel when a wounded soldier comes home after defending your freedom. Or when somebody spared a dollar when you needed it most. It is precisely in these moments—in the witness of experiencing or helping others rise from the ashes that doubt loses its grip.
Sometimes it is in the darkness that we see goodness most clearly.
I love you just because.
In case I have not made myself utterly clear, I will say it again. I love you just because. Forget about spinning your wheels trying to come up with things you can do for me or say to me to prove how good and well you love me. I already love you as if you loved me perfectly. I’ve already given you credit for all the things you may or may not do. The “I love you and you love me” credit score is an 850—it’s perfect. And has always been. This isn’t just a promise—it is who I am and you are made in my image. Believing what I say doesn’t make it true—it already is. But believing me, having faith it is so, will allow you to move freely and confidently in my love towards a life well lived—one that produces happiness for yourself and for those around you. This is what I want for you and for everyone. If this is news to you—then you can see it is indeed good news!
When you have your own child, perhaps you will better understand what I’m talking about. You will understand what I mean about giving credit whether earned or not—giving credit just because. Your love will know no boundaries. And, you will do all you can to right whatever wrong your child may have done. Just as quickly as he spills the milk, Crayolas the walls, or slaps the dog, you’ll be wiping, rubbing, and coaxing the dog from hiding. And, even if what he or she does is far more tragic than spilling milk—you will still love unconditionally.
I watched as Jeffrey Dahmer’s father cried in agony over the heinous crimes his boy committed. He cried in agony for the parents and the victims who had suffered such a horrific loss. And, he cried in agony over his boy. He prayed out loud, choking through his tears, that God would hear him and forgive his son.
That God might cover his boy in God’s perfection—cover him in a love that is, was, and will be. After all, this was his son—the boy he loved completely and unconditionally.
That’s the way love goes.
Love looks for the lost coin, it searches for the one lost sheep, and welcomes home the son or daughter whose poor choices have dramatically affected entire families (Luke 15).
I love you just because.
So turn whatever anxiety you might have into active belief. Believe me when I say that I love you just the way you are. And, trust me when I say I love you too much to leave you there. I have a bigger life in mind for you.
Take it, receive it, and run with it.
Let my “no holds barred and no strings attached” love inspire you, encourage you, equip you to fight the good fight—to do the right thing for others because you know how it good it feels to have the right thing done for you (Matt. 22:39). Be a breath of fresh air for somebody today. Don’t do it for me—to try and impress me or make me happy.
I already am.
And I already love you no matter what.
I’m asking that you do these things for you—because I want you to feel the joy, the happiness, and the goodness that comes from doing the right thing. I want you to live well. This has been my hope and intention always—that you and everyone else would live long and happy lives (John 10:10).
I love you just because.
Some days believing and doing the right thing will feel like a no-brainer. Other days, you will want to throw your hands up in surrender.
I can’t promise you it will be easy…but it’s worth it.
Like the man who gave his life daring to believe that one day black and white children would share the same pew and actualize the same dreams; and like the woman who helped women find their voice; I’m asking you to be bold—bold in your actions—bold in the way you love because you know I’ve got your back. I’m asking you to be like the boy who didn’t know how but acted as if. Give it all you’ve got—even if it’s just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish.
Act even when you don’t know how…
Give as if there were enough…
And live as if there were no tomorrow.
If you want to live well you’ve got to have something you’re willing to die for.
I do.
It’s you.
Just because.