Love Unconditionally
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, guide my time in your word today. Help me to feel your love as I try to understand how to love others better.
READ:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)
REFLECT:
As a little kid, I used to dream about having a family one day. I dreamed about having a grand wedding with a fancy dress. I just knew I was going to be married to a husband who always made me feel loved and cherished. I was certain that I would be a fun, cool mom and that my kids would always be smiling.
My current reality is not the perfect life I dreamed up for myself as a little girl. There are days when my husband makes me so mad, I want to scream, and my kids drive me so crazy I want to hide in a closet. My life may not be the fairytale I always dreamed of, but it is the life God has blessed me with and when I really stop to think about how lucky I am, I know I could not ask for anything better.
Learning to love the imperfections in my husband, children and in my family is a daily lesson. Knowing that I am married to someone who is flawed and struggling with their own insecurities is something I must remind myself of daily. My husband is flawed just as I am flawed. Remembering that my kids might be having a bad day, just like I do, helps me give grace when we are struggling to get along.
God, who is holy perfect, looks down every day and loves us unconditionally despite all our mess-ups and failures. God loves every imperfect person. He loves me on days when I am at my worst. He loves me on days when I offend him and on days I disappoint him. God sent Jesus to earth to die for us even while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) If God, in all his perfectness, can love me, despite my sin and offense, then how much easier should it be for me to love my family, flaws and all?
APPLY:
Show your love by doing something nice for your spouse, your children or a member of your family today. Author C.S. Lewis once said, “Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity.” Complete an act of kindness toward someone in your family so they will know how much you love them, even when they do not deserve it.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help to love my family even when it’s difficult, just as you love me even when I fail. Give me grace as I interact with those around me so I can reflect your love.