The other day I was looking through my “Save It” box, a storage bin packed with our kids’ homemade cards and art expressing love. Perusing these brought smiles, audible Awww’s, and a full love tank for this momma.
Then out of nowhere, I just got overwhelmed. Streams of regret flowed down my face as not-so-sweet memories of those seasons – when my children crafted their love notes – surfaced. Times when I lost my temper, wasn’t present to them when I could have been, judged rather than listened…
Guilt wasn’t resurfacing. I know God forgives and Jesus redeems. Sometimes sadness for the past washes our heart, and when it does, wait for the rainbow that God’s love reveals.
No, in that unexpected moment, awe overtook my heart.
Their happy hearts expressed so adorably on paper seemed to eclipse those hard days. Through all the yuk, they loved me.
“Gosh, Lord, I didn’t deserve their love.”
Then God reminded me… It’s not about deserving.
It is God’s amazing grace.
His love to our children, for our children – and through our children to us.
His love to us, for us – and through us to our children.
God loves you. Period.
Every day, He meets us with love.
No matter how we behaved the day before.
No matter how often we repeat the same disobedience.
No matter how long we’ve ignored something He wants us to deal with.
Faithfully, He leads us to deal with our “matters” – for our sake, our relationship’s sake, and for the sake of His glory. Knowing we are weak, He extends grace.
“But for the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15.10a)
Grace.
His help in love to move our heart toward Him.
His help in power to turn from our way to His way.
His help in strength to grow us strong.
God wants us to extend His grace to our children. Meeting them with love from Him. Pointing them to Him. Supporting them with buckets of prayer.
Dear God, Thank you for how You love me. Thank you for Your grace. Help me love my children the way You love me. Amen.
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