A Lesson in Love

It's difficult to watch someone you love hurting.  The pain may be physical, emotional, or spiritual, but the result is the same.  I remember watching my toddler son break his arm for the first time.  I picked him up and carried him to the car and then to the hospital.  There were tears in my eyes and in my heart.  In that moment, I would gladly have taken his pain upon myself (if only it were possible).  Even when little things discourage my family, I often find myself hurting them.  As I write this, there are people I care deeply about who are watching their loved ones suffer.  My heart aches for them.

Love is defined by sacrifice.   1 John 3:16 basically says, "If you want to understand love, look no further than the cross of Jesus." Consider how difficult it must have been for our Heavenly Father to watch His Beloved Son suffer on our behalf.  I truly cannot even begin to comprehend that kind of pain.  It makes John 3:16 a little more compelling.  FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE…

As I watched my son whimpering and trying to be a "big boy" at the emergency room, I can tell you this: nothing could have separated me from that child.  I was not about to leave him (not even for a minute).  Reflecting on that experience reminds me how much our God loves us.  If we are required to watch others we love suffer, our God knows what that's like more than we ever will.  He loves us.  He is with us.  He will not leave us.  We are His "little children."

1 John 3:1-3 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Father,

I pray for those who are suffering today. 

I pray especially for those who are watching their loved ones suffer. 

Your grace is sufficient; may they feel it. 

Your love is measureless; may they experience it. 

Your purpose is perfect; may they fulfill it. 

Your promise is sure, may they believe. 

In Jesus name, AMEN.

-Joe