During one of our first dates my wife and I were getting to know one another better by sharing stories about ourselves, our faith, and how we came to know Jesus and His love. It was during one of these conversations that my wife remarked with great certainty, "I know that God loves me. I've got a dollar to prove it!"

Having piqued my curiosity, she continued to share about one of the darkest, loneliest times of her life. It was at the end of a long, exhausting week where each day at work had been difficult. She was tired, depressed and felt alone. Now driving back to an empty home at night in the rain she remembered that she had to pick something up at the store.

It was just too much to bear.

Standing in the checkout line she was overcome with emotion. She kept her head turned to hide her moist eyes. As the tears welled up inside of her she cried out this silent prayer, "God, forgive me for my lack of faith. I know that your word says that you love me, but right now I don't feel it. I really need to know that you love me."

It was at just that moment that the Cashier handed my wife her change - a single dollar bill. As she took the dollar, she noticed it had writing on it. A closer look revealed these handwritten words:

"I LOVE YOU!"

As I've shared this story over the years I'm often asked if I think that it was just a coincidence that the dollar had this message on it.

I don't think so.

We have this promise from the Bible in Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

After reading this verse many people tend to think of God just meeting their financial needs. But for my wife, her need at that particular moment was just to know that God loved her and that He was still with her. God met her need through a timely, personal message delivered at just the right moment.

2000 years ago God delivered another personal message to mankind when He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to earth - demonstrating His love for us all and meeting the biggest need that we have - the need to have our sins forgiven.

Today we still have the framed dollar bill. Though the writing has faded over the years, it has been a constant reminder that God does indeed love us, that He keeps His promises, and that He meets us where we are, especially in our time of need. It echoes with a promise from Jesus found in Matthew 28:20 "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)

How about you?

Do YOU know that God loves you? It's true! "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not be lost, but should have eternal life." John 3:16 (Phillips Translation)

"Dear Lord God, thank you for your promise found in Jeremiah 31:3: "...I have loved you with an everlasting love." (NIV) We believe it and know that You love us. Help us to receive that love. Amen."

(Copyright 1999 Argyle Giraffe Productions. This may not be resold or used for the enhancement of any product sold without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.)