This week we have celebrated two birthdays: Bethany and Mark’s. We are so blessed that they are a part of our family; a part of my crew.
Sitting here reflecting on the past 14 years with my youngest son, I am reminded that there was a time when I truly struggled with loving my family well. This was before I was a believer. Yes, I loved them, but I didn’t love them well. Not at all. I didn’t know how to. I struggled hugely in parenting. I was harsh, and wanted to raise perfect, obedient children, not well-loved, well-disciplined and protected children.
But my Jesus changed all of that. Today I love my children with a love that comes only from God. I think I finally have the slimmest grasp on what 1 John 4:7-8 is getting at:
Before becoming God’s child, I could not love, not to the full extent that I do today, because I did not know God. But now, I can love my crew with an overwhelming love, for love is from God. God is love. My heart is overflowing with love today toward my children. And overwhelming thankfulness that I am not the same person that I was. I am thankful that I am able to love only by the grace of God.
We who are born of God and know God, need to love each other with the love that only God can give, because He alone is love.