And This is Love

My sweet mom truly has a heart for others. Since I was a child, I've only seen her love for others grow stronger as she grew in her relationship with the Lord. Sometimes I would even be upset at the amount she put other's first, even when they don't deserve it. She goes out of her way when given an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others in her life, even when it's not convenient. And never asks "What am I going to get out of it?"

I've seen God bless her through her willingness to give and reach out. As she is faithful and obedient in her calling to share the love of Jesus, a few times she has had the opportunity to see how others also learn to reach out because she has reached out to them. A few times she has seen the joy her love has brought. A few times she has even got a "thank you." But many times these blessings go unseen, only known by God exactly how her love has blessed others. Only He truely knows what happened all those times she takes to share His love, those extra minutes she spends praying for their needs, the extra time she spends listening, those extra meals she has provided, rides given, bible lessons prepared and taught, stories shared, and lives changed. And I am confident that her reward will be great in heaven.

What an amazing picture of the gospel. We don't deserve in any way the grace God has given us, yet out of love and mercy, He sent His son to die for our sins. It is so easy to be nice when you know what your getting in return. It's so easy to love when you know the other person won't turn their back on you. It's so easy to give when it's convenient. The hard part is when we are called to love when it is hard and inconvenient, regardless of how other people respond. The fact is, we are called to love. No if's and's or but's. We are called to share God's love with others so that they may see His love in us.



I can see God developing this type of love in Alisia's heart. She often thinks of ways to bless others without being asked. She will leave me notes throughout the house simply to brighten my day. Her long bedtime prayers shows me how sensitive she is to other's needs. On the way to school this week, she asked me if I had any prayer requests she could share with her class. As a small child she would often make friends with the one person playing alone. I can't wait to see what God's going to do with her life and what he is preparing her for!

These conjoined twins are from Mexico around Alisia's age. They have been in this country for medical treatment since they were small. They were in the area visiting with someone from my mom's church. My mom and Alisia were invited over to love on their family. And that's just what they did. Love.

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."

2 John 1:6