My Pastor, Dr. John Finley, told this story in his message one morning:

As Tom left for work on Tuesday, he reminded his wife Lara that he was supposed to find out today if he got the big promotion or not. She told him as he left that she loved
him, and that she was praying for him.

The hours passed and passed, with no word on his promotion. Tom was really getting discouraged as he packed up his briefcase to go home for the day....just then, he was called into the boss's office and given the good news...he got the promotion! He called Lara immediately and told her the good news...she celebrated with him on the phone, and asked him to come straight home, because she had a surprise for him!

They lived close to his office, so ten minutes later, Tom walked into a darkened home....except for the candlelit dining room. Lara had spent all day preparing a wonderful dinner - Tom's favorite - prime rib! And then Tom quickly learned that she had sent the kids to her mother's house...they had the evening alone to celebrate their good fortune! Just then, Tom noticed that sitting against one of the candles was a card from Lara....on the inside it read:

"Congratulations on your promotion, Tom - I couldn't be more proud of you, and I love you dearly - Love, Lara"

That really touched Tom's heart, and as he hugged his wife, he told Lara how much it meant to him that she supported him so fully. Then, they sat down to enjoy their evening together.

As Tom polished off the delicious dinner, Lara got up to get the coffee cups from the kitchen....and a card fell from her pocket. It was identical to the one Tom had opened when he got home....Tom was curious, so he opened it, and then read the message inside. It read:

"I'm sorry that you didn't get the promotion, Tom - but I couldn't be more proud of you, and I love you dearly - Love, Lara"

You see, Lara was going to tell her husband of her love and support regardless of how the promotion went. She prepared each card early that day, just before she started the meal.

What a beautiful illustration of unconditional love....the exact type of love that God has for you! No matter what has happened in your past, God is ready, willing, and able to forgive you and welcome you home.....for "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:38-39

God loves you, child...all He is waiting for is an invitation from YOU...why not send that invitation right now?

Have a blessed day!