A Deeper Love

Tears ran down Makayla's cheeks as Dad drove off. She pulled away from her mother and ran down the street. She heard Mom call her name, but she ran faster. Today was the worst day of her life!Earlier that morning, Mom and Dad had sat on opposite ends of the couch and calmly spoke the words that tore her world apart. "We still love you, Makayla. We just can't live together anymore." The words had pierced her heart.Makayla finally stopped running and sat on a swing in the neighborhood park. She could no longer cry; she felt empty.As the weeks went by, Makayla's life fell into a new pattern. After school on weekdays, she and her mother cooked dinner and spent the evenings together. On Fridays, her father picked her up after school, and she went to his apartment for the weekend. They had fun, but it just wasn't the same as having him home.One Friday Makayla's father called to say he couldn't come. After that, Dad sometimes came, and sometimes he didn't. When he told her she was going to have a new family--he was going to get married, and she would have stepbrothers and a stepsister--she wasn't quite sure where she fit in anymore.A few weeks later, Makayla agreed to go to church with Mrs. Mason, who lived next door. The lesson was about the love of God. Makayla listened as the pastor talked. Love comes and goes, thought Makayla. One day you're a family, and the next you're lost somewhere in the middle. Tears began to well up, and when the sermon was over and everyone got up to leave, she stayed in her seat."What's wrong, Makayla?" asked Mrs. Mason."Love's not like what the pastor said," Makayla replied. "Dad doesn't love us like that.""God's love isn't like human love," said Mrs. Mason gently. "God loves His children perfectly, and nothing can separate them from His love. He will always be there for them, no matter what.""Are you sure?" asked Makayla. It would be wonderful to be loved like that, she thought."Yes," said Mrs. Mason. "Why don't you and your mother come over for lunch and I'll tell you more about it."-Suzie Eller