Saturday, January 24, 2009

Loving One Another

As moms we spend a lot of time picking up our little ones when they have fallen, wiping their tears, patting their backs...showing our love...the action of love. The tone of voice we use- our facial expressions, everything, is absorbed and interpreted in our little one's minds...they are being molded and formed, and belief systems are fast developing based upon our actions. I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly side of me, in my children...but what is most beautiful, and gives the greatest amount of hope, is seeing God work in my children's lives and blessing, in spite of me.

Today, as the children played, I stood and watched from a distance as Lily fell from her bike. I could tell that she wasn't hurt badly, but she was hurt enough that she was crying...so I waited just a second to see...and yes, her sisters came and helped set her up and loved on her and patted her to make sure she was okay. All arguments and hurts from the past played no part when it came to helping their sister in need. Lily didn't push them away and ask for mommy, as she would have done in past years, she blessed the hearts of her sisters in allowing them to love on her and help her up. My heart was so full in that moment. Love...in action..what an amazing and mysterious work God has provided that gives testimony to the nature of Christ! Seeing that display of love between sisters was even better than if I had gone to comfort her myself...and I couldn't help but think that was a touch of how God feels when He sees us as Believers, loving one another. Sure, He can come and set us up when we fall, and He does...but how much sweeter for all when He works in and through us....how it must bless Him to see His love displayed before Him and what a blessing to able to be a vessel used to comfort and love a sister in Christ.

1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

picture from all posters.com

5 comments:

~~Deby said...

What a tender picture you painted with your words, about that kind of love....I have often been the recipient, most OFTEN from my husband..oh it is sweet....
what a great reminder for me and all of us as Christians.
Deby

Deeapaulitan said...

I am blessed beyond measure at how my kids love eachother. I'm also amazed at how much it gets noticed by the population at large. Cassia's work friends tell her how lucky she is to have her brother stop in at odd moments just to give her a hug. Tofer's friends can't believe that he would want to "drag" his little sister along to events or outtings... It is so uncommon in our culture that the anomaly (sp?) is like a great flashing beacon!
"By this they will know you are my disciples, that you love one another!" john 13:35
You are doing a beautiful job with your little ones, Heather. It will only become more and more apparent as they grow into adults.

Deborah said...

Thank you for a wonderful post! The title caught my eye, as it's a topic that's been on my mind lately!

mholgate said...

Heather, what truth you speak! This is such an amazing post. Next to my one and only sister who has always been my best friend, my sisters in Christ are the ones that pick me up when I fall down and encourage me to no end. What great insight the Lord has given you.

You said that you loved seeing God work in your children in spite of you. I say that you don't give yourself enough credit. The way I see it, your children are loving each other as a result of God's love working through you.

I am blessed by your posts here. Thanks for sharing.

"By this they will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

Cherlyn said...

Oh, so what I needed to hear right now. Your words are a gift from God, Heather. You have no idea how much this has helped me see the truth.