Just tell Him you love Him!

Every year, my husband has chosen a theme for our church. He chooses a scripture to go with the theme and one of the guys from our worship team even writes a song to go with that theme. We sing it all year long and it's a great reminder of what we want to focus on for the year. It's a lot like our One Little Word, I guess.
Well, this year's theme is "Love thy neighbor" James 2:8~"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"
Then add that it is the month of February and you've got lots of preaching about love this month! Hey, that's good, right? =)
Well, this last week he preached from Deuteronomy 6:5-9 which says:
"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
As he preached, he asked us how often we tell God that we love Him. He pointed out how in these verses we are told to love the LORD our God with ALL our heart, and with ALL our soul, and with ALL our might.
We need to be teaching His word to our children...diligently.
We should be talking about it day in and day out...sitting or standing...lying down or rising up...
We are to bind them upon our hands, write them on the posts of our house and on our gates...

I could hardly stifle the cry that was coming up from my throat. I was immediately filled with guilt. I know that some of you readers would look at that as a negative thing, but it really wasn't. It was one of those moments where I was so convicted yet, I was comforted almost immediately knowing that He was not judging me for it. He is patient, loving and kind. He is forgiving.
I started to think about all of the other things in this world that I love with all my heart, soul and mind. What is my first thought in the morning? Is it a thought of thankfulness and gratitude to the Lord for another day? I have been staying faithful to my quiet time of study, worship, prayer, etc. - but couldn't I put off checking my email or facebook until AFTER I've met with the Lord? What are my last thoughts before I lay my head down on the pillow after a long day? Are we talking of His love in our home or are we complaining about the rotten economy or our bad day?
Have you ever heard the story about the man that was asked how often he told his wife that he loved her and his reply was, "What do you mean? I told her once when I married her and if I change my mind, I'll let her know." Wow. That might sound funny, but we know that everyone likes to hear a sincere "I love you". It could be from your spouse, a friend, a parent, your child...it doesn't matter who it's from when it's sincere.
Valentine's Day is coming up and people are probably going to be scrambling to buy over-priced flowers and chocolates that have been sitting on the shelves since the day they moved the Christmas stuff away. What if your loved one only told you once a year that he/she loved you? What if he/she only showed you his/her love for you when they needed something or were sorry? Don't you love it when you're children come up to you out of the blue and maybe give you a hug and an "I love you." for no reason at all? It's the best feeling ever!
So, what are you waiting for? Your Heavenly Father wants to know that you love Him. Oh, sure. He already knows you do - but wouldn't it be nice to tell Him? Isn't it the least you could do?
I know my heart broke that morning as I said:
"God, I am so sorry. You never leave me. You never forget me, yet sometimes, I forget to acknowledge You. You love me so much that you sent Your Son to die for me. You wanted me to have a peace that passes all understanding. You put me first even when I try to put you on a schedule. Please forgive me. I love you and am blessed beyond all measure to be Your daughter."
You know what? I am forgiven. That's the best thing. I do not serve a God who is a tyrant. He loves me and always wants the best for me. It's not too late for you to tell Him how you feel. He already knows...but He just might want to hear it from you.