Mom Heart Moments #31

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

WHEN I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, I worked on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) for two years at the University of Texas, then moved to Eastern Europe to travel through Communist countries as a missionary. Because I had a committed heart, I was under the delusion that I was already mature! But since the Lord is a good parent and wanted me to grow into the likeness of Christ, He saw me as I was —young, immature, self-centered, and full of pride. The Lord knew I needed more practice and training to become more like Christ, to really grow in His kind of love.

So . . . He gave me a husband and children so I could find out what sacrificial love was really all about! It has not been easy to pull out the weeds of false expectations, to fight the storms of giving up my rights, to endure the drought of feelings that did not always match up to my ideals of what a loving wife and mother should feel in a happy home. Though still growing, I have learned so much about true love, self-sacrifice, commitment, and long-suffering. I have tested Him, misbehaved, thrown tantrums, and pulled away at times. Still He loves me; He died for me while I was yet a sinner, and His grace continues to extend to me now that I am His stumbling child.

Love must grow over years and years to become mature. It must be cultivated and watered and nurtured and protected and worked on again and again. Thank You, sweet Lord, for showing me the way and going before me to model real love.

How are you doing in the love department? Are there areas where you know you’re still striving against laying down your life? Ask the Lord for help. He is ready to grant it!