Psalm 90:13-17 Deuteronomy 31:30–32:4, 6b-12a Acts 3:18-25 John 7:37-41a
Picking the petals off daisies is probably not the best way to determine how much someone loves you. But I remember the days when, huddled with girlfriends in a field during recess, we took turns plucking the petals away anyway. We shared our secret crushes and celebrated when the last petal confirmed that our love loved us back.
While my petal-plucking days are long gone, I have to admit that, when it comes to my relationship with God, I’ve sometimes found myself flip-flopping between the He loves me and He loves me not camps. But today’s readings reminded me of how well God knows me—far more than those boys of my schoolgirl crushes—and that He loves me better and in spite of it all.
I forget this regularly. It’s easy to get so caught up in the throes of a job, relationships, and daily stresses that I lose sight of the fact that Christ knows me better than anyone. In times of grief, despair, or confusion, I forget that Christ knows all the wounds, scars, and losses that I endure. That intimate knowledge is both reassuring and comforting.
This Lent, I invite you to join me in getting to know God better. I plan on spending some time in the He loves me camp—remembering that He loved me enough to send His son to die on the cross and raised Him from the dead for my sake.

–Krista Bradley