The Greatest of These is LOVE

Our oldest daughter, Shawna, arrived a little after midnight on Monday, November 25th, 1991. I’ll never forget the moment, after they had cleaned her up, when someone first called me "Dad." It was the nurse as she handed me my firstborn. That’s when I first began to experience the overwhelming love of a father.

Back then, they often let moms and babies stay in the hospital for up to three days. It was about midday on the second day when I was saying goodbye to Sherri in her room. I told her I had to get to seminary but planned to stop by and visit Shawna in the nursery. The nursery was crowded that day—probably a dozen little, wiggling babies. As I scanned the bassinets, I couldn’t find Shawna. I was trying to read the name tags when suddenly I heard a loud wail. I was horrified to realize that the sound was coming from Shawna. She had kicked off her covers and was crying at the top of her lungs.

Then I noticed something on her foot—a trickle of blood. In that instant, something inside me shifted. I felt an overwhelming, protective instinct as a father. Without thinking, I went to the door of the nursery, where I wasn’t supposed to enter. A stern nurse blocked the doorway, but I stuttered through my concern, explaining what I’d seen and that Shawna needed help. The nurse’s tone softened as she reassured me it was just a routine blood test and that Shawna would be fine. I backed away, shaken but realizing something powerful had come over me.

As I drove to Nazarene Theological Seminary, my heart still racing, I began to understand—just a fraction—of what God the Father must have felt, but with a love so much greater than mine. The thought of watching His Son, beaten, bloodied, and dying on the cross for you and me stirred something deep inside. 

For the first time, I truly felt a father’s love. It’s like the old song says:

“Such love, such wondrous love,

Such love, such wondrous love,

That God should love a sinner such as I,

How wonderful is love like this!”

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we are reminded—especially we, as followers of Jesus—of the love He has for us and the love we are called to practice.

There are three things I want you to remember this month and beyond:

1. Love the Lord Jesus! It all begins and ends with loving Him and being fully committed to Him.

2. Love others! This is the second greatest commandment. Never forget: "Lost and broken people matter to God; lost and broken people matter to us."

3. Love yourself! I’ve met many pastors and laypeople who are struggling, feeling discouraged. Give yourself some grace. My friend, Pastor Tim Stearman, often says, “You are doing better than you think you are.”

Sherri and I deeply love all our new friends on the SoCal District, and we look forward to meeting many more of you in the months to come. Please remember: The greatest of these is always love.

Shawn Siegfried

District Superintendent

Southern California District Church of the Nazarene