For God So Loved The World

I was struck once again this week by the unfathomable love of God for His creation called mankind.

We are studying ancient history this year in our homeschool and have been using the Bible as one of our primary history books.  I really have no words to adequately describe how awesome this has been!

One of the topics we covered this week was the story of Cain and Abel. As we read and discussed this passage (Genesis 4:1-24), there were a few things I had never really paid attention to before.  BUT there was one thing specifically that stood out from the rest for me and that was God's love for Cain.

The condition of Cain's heart was just plain yucky.  He did not have the right attitude when bringing an offering to God.  He is unrepentant and angry when God is not pleased with his offering and then decides to exact revenge for this upon his own brother, Abel, by committing the first murder in our world's history.  And it doesn't stop there.  He does not confess to his sin when God gives him the opportunity and he does not repent for taking his brother's life.

As God delivers Cain's punishment, Cain whines and is fearful that someone will kill him because he is now a "fugitive and vagabond on the earth."  And this is where the love of God completely blows my natural mind.  God marks him so that none will kill him.  

The mark wasn't to let others know of his sin.  God placed the mark there to protect Cain.

He loved Cain, an unrepentant sinner, so much that he still offered protection for him.  What is this uncomparable love?   

This Love is what saved me.  This Love is what changed my life.  Bringing a broken woman peace and joy.

This Love, this is what I hope to reflect.  What I hope to carry and deliver.  The legacy I want to leave behind.