Friday, September 10, 2010

Losing Life


My children amaze me.

They are not perfect, and in some ways, they need a lot of improvement in their characters.

Still, in some of the ways they demonstrate selflessness, they are light years ahead of me. It makes my heart crack open and bleed. Because it is so beautiful, and also because it reminds me what I should be like.

My oldest son used every last penny of his hard earned allowance in order to buy a gift for someone else. My other children followed suit. They bought nothing for themselves and thought nothing of it.

As I watched the smiles on their faces as their gifts were opened, I was convinced that it truly is better to give than to receive.

I was not like this as a child.

If I were to be completely honest, I would admit I am not always like this even now.

I still think about me and mine a lot. Granted, these days I think a lot about my husband and my children. Yet I am reminded of something Jesus said about this very thing:

Luke 6:31-35 (English Standard Version)

31And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.


What that means to me, is that although it is of course important to love my husband and children, I can not stop there. I have to be willing to love as Jesus loved. Even when it costs me something.

To be able to pour myself out, like my children did who held nothing back for themselves, this is what I am aiming for.

Ironically, Jesus taught that it is as we lose our lives that we find it.

1 comment:

  1. So sweet - those kids!
    Yes, it is more blessed to give than receive. They learn that so early.

    ReplyDelete

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