Hello, my name is Sochiel Dixon.

I'm sharing a personal story in today's encouragement from our daily bread.

Can't outlove God.

When my now-grown son, Xavier, was in kindergarten,

he stretched his arms wide and said, I love you this much.

I stretched my longer arms wide and said, I love you this much.

Planting his fists on his hips, he said, I loved you first. I shook my head. I loved you when God first put you in my womb.

Xavier's eyes widened. You win. We both win, I said, because Jesus loved both of us first.

As Xavier prepares for the birth of his first child,

I'm praying he'll enjoy trying to outlove his son

as they make sweet memories.

But as I prepare to be a grandmother,

I'm amazed at how much I loved my grandson. From the moment Xavier and his

wife told us they were expecting a baby. The Apostle John affirmed that Jesus' love for us

gives us the ability to love him and others. Knowing he loves us gives us a sense of security that deepens

our personal relationship with him. As we realize the depth of his love for us, we can grow in

our love for him and express our love in other relationships.

Not only does Jesus empower us to love, but he also commands us to love.

1 John 421 says, and he has given us this command.

Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

When it comes to loving well, God always wins.

No matter how hard we try, we can't outlove God.

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