Love Never Fails
Happy Mother’s Day (and let me add Happy Father’s Day here, too). And that’s where my Hallmark moment ends!
To those of you who have happy, or at the very least, functioning or tolerable family situations, have a wonderful day! You deserve it. My birth family was to me the picture of a happy family. We were totally blessed relationally and I cherish every memory. That’s how I know it’s possible to have. But again, that was decades ago and the likelihood of that happening was greater than it has been these last many years. So please enjoy one another on any level possible, whether near or far. If you’ve loved, forgiven and stretched yourselves enough to still want to be talking and visiting, we rejoice with you all – moms, dads, kids and grandkids!
That being said: I say “Happy Mother’s (and Father’s Day) to those who may not hear it this year. Or you may hear it more out of obligation than love and you’re well aware of that. Eating crumbs can be painful too. Guess what – your kids are suffering too. (But with God’s grace you can see that all be reversed. We have often).
Nevertheless, we ask “Why are people spanning the emotional spectrum from difficult to hateful – parent and child alike sometimes?” The root is always spiritual. The root is the flesh having given satan an inroad – believing a lie, operating in fear and the taking and keeping “of an offence” (which is probably in most cases a real violation).
However, our Lord always provides the remedy for the wounds. The solution always goes back to focus and choice. The focus, as a child of God, should always be Abba and His word, which is Truth. The choice must always be to believe His Word and simply obey. Jesus said, “I came to do the will of Him who sent Me”. (John 6:38). But by the time He got to the Garden of Gethsemane, He was saying, with drops of Blood from His struggle to do that will, “Oh My Father, if it be possible, let this cup (of suffering) pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will”. (Matt. 26:39).
Actually, He could have sunk deep into His humanity because He lived life as a man with all of man’s temptation to avoid pain, emotional and fleshly. He could have decided to watch out for Himself. You know “Draw a Healthy Boundary” as some therapists and podcasters might insist He do, and then believe His Father was an abuser. Just a thought. Next thought – we’d all be in hell if He had. (And no – I’m not a proponent of unhealthy, meaningless abuse.) But I am an advocate for asking Father what His Grace for me enables and allows. I can assure you, having done things my way, that His way, while it may seem different to the flesh, is always better for all involved. )
But back to Jesus and His Abba. These two loved and trusted each other. They are the model of family. Jesus knew His Father’s Heart was broken for Him. The Father was all too aware of the indescribable pain His Beloved Son would suffer and how it would exponentially increase up to His last breath. To an onlooker, it might seem twisted. But it was actually the “untwisting” of satan’s heartless plan to keep us all separated. So getting things “fixed” can be pretty messy and painful. But “love always trusts, is not self-seeking”… 1 Corinthians 13 states. They trusted one another – and if you can imagine of all things – for us! They did it to make a way for us to be one with Them here and forever. Us, by the way, can hardly be worth it – we betray Them and each other, have bad attitudes, are fault-finding and complaining more often than not for some. Just read 2 Tim. 3, the resume for last days behavior. But spoiler alert, things will get better as the Holy Spirit prepares the true Bride for the return of our Bridegroom.
And this, all because their love is so great, They choose to focus on the family that could be born of Them and nurtured by Them, instead of Adam’s betrayal and our subsequent flaws and rebellions.
Any chance we could do the same for one another? If you’re born-again (and you can be even this minute), it’s the gift and ability They gave us. That gift is to “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God”. (Micah 6:8) Someone said : “Loving mercy means that we do not just love the mercy God extends to us; we delight that God extends the same mercy to others. And we follow His example”.
Maybe we could wish the Father, Son and Holy Spirit a Happy Father’s Day by forgiving, loving and trusting one another starting today. We know there are hurts. We all get that! Life down here has not been lived well for some time. Bad actions by one can cause really bad reactions by others. But we have the Grace of God, the mind of Christ and all the love and power of the Godhead (John 17) in us to take back the reins from satan, get our flesh under control and receive the blessings of restoration.
For God’s sake, literally, and our own, with great humility – somebody make the first move. My grandma used to say, “Whoever has more salt, put it in the pot.” Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). Salt preserves things. May I humbly suggest to the parents grab your kids, hug and kiss them first. They’ll get used to you! Kids “CALL YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER.” They are obviously a huge part of the reason you’re alive. Your very existence is your first step to a glorious life and eternity if you choose.
And since I’m already in your business, one last thought! (By now you might be saying, “Thank God” – but chew on this OK?) You don’t need 20 years of counseling (though a couple of sessions can help if done correctly! I counseled and have been counseled. You can actually chose to “forget what is behind and press on toward the goal to win the prize” which is your identity in Christ (Philippians 3:13). It’s not burying the issue. Discuss it, then move on to Philippians 4:8 by thinking on what is good, pure, lovely, honest, true and a good report.
It will change your life. It changed mine. I had “interned” with a clinical psychologist for 6 months at a Christian church who said, “I counselled for 20 years the world’s way and saw people only learn to cope at best. I decided to do it God’s way”. She used these scriptures to teach them to bring their thoughts captive. We watched those who practiced those scriptures and principles be delivered. (I write about my own experience on this website in a post called “Eight Days to Freedom.” By the way, they prospered in health because of it. (3 John 1:2)
So my Mother’s Day blessing to you is “Have a great day” or a “great beginning” by choosing to do life God’s way – surrender, forgiveness and love from minute to minute, and then forever. To God be the Glory! To you be great love and joy!
With love,
