"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."
John 13:34
Dear Lord,
You know how I long for simple truth. I just want You to tell me what I should do. Draw the lines clearly; make the words plain. (Of course, You also know how often I fail, even when You show me the clear path. Thank You for mercy and grace.)
I've been thinking a lot about love these days. I want to love the way You love, but it's a tall order. Your love is perfect, unconditional and unending. I'm afraid I don't measure up most days. But You did give me a compassionate heart. Sometimes the people around me get upset because I don't get angry when they think I should. There are other components to love, they say.
That's the part that's hard. Remember when You sent that sweet little baby boy to us? He came on a wave of love that overflowed my heart. I couldn't contain it. We wrapped him in hugs and kisses and watched in rapt joy as he flourished.
A day came when love demanded something more. There were lessons to be learned. Love, it seemed, also required discipline. Sometimes he wanted things that would only do him harm. Every once in a while (he was such a sweet little guy, Lord), he disobeyed. There were times we had to subject him to pain - (those immunizations hurt, Lord) - for his good. Remember the time I had to hold his little body down while the doctor cut out the infection under his little fingernail? Oh that was hard, Lord.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wish loving the way You love was easy. You do it with perfect wisdom - through the hurts and the pain and the heartache. You don't worry about what others may say about the way You love - You know what You are doing is only for my good.
Help me to love well, Father.
Linda