No Matter What

“We love because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19

For as long as I can remember, I’ve heard about “the terrible twos.” During the first few months of our son’s second year, we really felt like this stage should be called the “terrific twos.” Recently, however, boundaries, as well as our patience, have been tested. Dining out in restaurants used to be a pleasant experience; now there are times when we can’t get out of there fast enough! Getting our son into his car seat used to be a breeze; now there are times when it is a battle. The list could go on and on, and I’m sure every parent reading this could add a few things as well. And I hear that age three is harder! Now they tell me!

The amazing thing is that no matter how frustrated or worn out we become, we still love our children beyond anything we could have ever imagined. This is just one of the many ways in which our relationship with our children mirrors our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is so hard to imagine how God could love a miserable sinner like me. How could He still love me when I continue to mess up on a daily basis in thought, word, and deed? His word tells me that He does.The above verse from 1 John is just one part of a bigger discussion about love. Verse 10 states, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (You can read the rest of the chapter HERE.) Even though it’s there in His word, sometimes our human nature needs a more tangible reminder. Enter children. Only now can I begin to understand how this whole love/forgiveness/grace thing works. God doesn’t excuse our sin and tell us “Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.” What He tells us is that we are forgiven. Jesus died for us, and our sins are washed away. It’s not okay. It’s not “acceptable.” But we are forgiven, and He still loves us. No matter what.

Thank You, dear Jesus, for loving us, poor sinners that we are. Thank You for blessing us with children, who help to make Your love for us something we can catch a glimpse of here on this earth even though it is so far beyond our human understanding. Fill us with Your love so that we can share it with others, especially with those in our own families. Amen.