Love Never

Love Never Ends ( I Corinthians 13:8)

I have officially entered the time of my life where I have been a parent longer than an adult without children.

This feels a little bit like a time warp. My kids are getting older and I don’t find myself with sleepless nights or a rigid routine of snacks, naps, play, repeat.

As I reflect back on these past 14 years, there are days I remember, circumstances I endured, but mostly just that I loved and was loved in return.

I can’t always remember what endearing words were my son’s first. I can hardly see my daughter in pigtails or hear my middle son’s 1,000th request for more scotch tape. (Yes, this was one of his obsessions at age 4 :).

Despite my foggy brain from lack of self care and the cycle of motherhood with little people, I know in my heart that love was prominent.

Love for my littles.

Love for my husband.

Love for my Lord.

This love has been the thread that has kept me going when I felt like I would break.

It has been my relief in heartache and disappointment.

It has been the comfort in times of despair, change, or tragic loss.

In Psalm 73:26 the writer says “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I feel like the Psalmist may have been writing this to women, specifically.

How often do we feel like a failure?

Weak?

Frustrated?

Indecisive?

Worried?

I will raise my hand to this–every week–every day.

But God is…

able to lift us in our weariness.

love others through us, when we feel they are unlovable.

guide us in wisdom when decision fatigue has set in.

able to give us the ability to keep loving as He continually, graciously pours His love into us.

Maybe you like me, struggle with perfection and forget what is a main priority.

There are times in my life where I am ashamed to admit I have been so focused on result that I have forgotten the steps to get there.  I am a visionary and I love to imagine what the outcome will look like.  But I don’t always want to put in the effort it takes to reach the end.

I am so thankful that Jesus knew this about people.  His instructions to the band of ragamuffin disciples in their quest for “what was the most important” drives home this very point. 

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

(John 15:12-13)

All throughout history we see the thread of God’s love and redemption weaved through the stories of the lives of women, like you and me. 

We may not remember all the details, but we know we are loved and that changes everything-because it will have no end.

Keep loving well!!