What God's love means to me

Salvation Army members explain the impact of God’s love in their lives.

When I look back over my life, I see the fingerprints of God’s love in every chapter. As a mother raising two children in a foreign land, there were moments I felt alone – but God was always beside me. His love became my strength and comfort. He helped me care for my parents back home, provided for my family, and held me together when life felt overwhelming.

One of the greatest miracles I witnessed was my son’s kidney transplant nine years ago. God restored his health and gave him a second chance at life. Today, I feel even more blessed because he is now a father himself – and I have the joy of spending time with my beautiful granddaughter. Every smile she gives me is a reminder of God’s faithfulness through generations.

After working in difficult circumstances, God opened a new door and placed me in a job where I finally feel at peace. His timing is perfect, and his compassion never fails. Family means everything to me, and through every joy and every trial, God’s love has held us close.

Being able to serve in the church is a privilege I do not take for granted. It is my way of giving thanks to the One who has carried me, protected me, and blessed me far beyond what I imagined. I have a full heart, grateful for a God whose love never runs out.

I always had a strong fear of abandonment during my teenage and adult years and, as time went on, I firmly believed that I needed to depend on people, places and things to feel secure in myself. 

I had forgotten about God, and this was only fully realised when I was surrendered to the bottle, to the active alcoholism that had swept insidiously into my life. I was using alcohol as my god – it made me feel warm inside, secure and confident. But, like all other things of this world, the effects were impermanent, and I would keep trying, chasing all manner of ways to feel safe, fulfilled and secure.

Once I became sober, life did not get any easier, but I began to witness the thousands of micro-miracles happening in my life, despite me, despite my efforts and my endless trying. God taught me to let go. To give up – to throw in that towel and surrender to his goodness, love, mercy and light. He taught me that I couldn’t find strength and security in transient earthly things.

He still reminds me now, when I try to take control back of my own life, that he is in control and I just make a mess of things! God has given me my life back with his love, goodness, grace and unlimited mercy.

God’s love is everywhere. When you feel that love, it awakens you. It is everywhere like God, exalted among the nations of the Earth. With it, we keep moving forward, driven with Spirit, following it to new things.

I have always been aware of God’s love from a young age, but the most significant memory of this was only a couple of years ago when I gave my life to God. It was back in September 2023. For a long time, I felt lost and was seeking validation and love in all the wrong places. When one day I was sat listening to an audiobook called The Cross and the Switchblade. It spoke about how no one is too far out of reach of his love and, in that moment, I felt like God was right beside me, saying: ‘I’m still here for you Frankie.’ After that day I gave up anything that pulled me further from his reach and offered my life to God to use how he wills. I have been serving him ever since.

My life would be nothing without God’s love, care and blessings!

Reflecting on my life, I see the profound impact God’s love has had and continues to have on me. Certain moments stand out from my childhood, especially as I faced health issues and school challenges. I took pride in carrying his love with me every day, sharing it with others, and persisting through setbacks – never letting school drama or my health stop me from learning and striving for success.

My parents often remind me that, even though I don’t remember it myself, God’s love was evident when doctors doubted I’d reach my first birthday. They saw his love shine through the unwavering support of doctors and nurses who helped me achieve each milestone – a journey that still continues today.

Over the past few years, I’ve felt his love growing stronger, giving me courage and self-belief, especially after Covid-19. Every step I took led to new opportunities and experiences. The true power of his love revealed itself at Design for Life, where I felt chains break and obstacles fall away. Doors that once seemed locked suddenly opened, and people began to notice a light shining within me, seeing qualities they hadn’t seen before. This led to new responsibilities and roles, guiding me on a path towards leadership.

Now, I share his love not just for myself but by showing how it transforms lives. It’s available to everyone – all you need to do is look up and allow him to unlock your heart, so you too can experience and feel his love.