As a child I heard many times about God's unconditional love. I was at church almost every day of the week, Sunday School, Worship Service, Choir Practice, Training Union and evening worship - that was just on Sunday. Wednesday nights meant potluck suppers, and prayer meeting to follow. Thursday nights were youth Bible Studies, Friday night - skate night, Saturday mornings - Bus Ministry, and Saturday nights - skate night again. I knew God loved us in spite of our actions.
Until I became a mother, I didn't fully grasp what Unconditional Love really meant. You love your child in spite of the terrible twos, the independent 3's, and the endless questions of "why" at age 4 and 5.
I remember an incident with my son when he was in the beginning stages of the terrible two's. We are at the grocery store and he wanted out of the shopping cart, and I gave in to his demands. Big mistake, he threw a fit - laid on the floor and I calmly walked over him and continued shopping. I was hoping no one was watching and no one knew it was my child. Within moments he jumped up and ran screaming after me, so much for me thinking no one noticed. It was about a year before I ventured back into that store. I figured my picture was posted with a sign stating "mom with uncontrollable child".
It seems all through the beginning of your child's life you're trying to get them to talk, to say "mama", "dada" and all the words to every animal and color. My daughter loved to talk, she would come home from day care and school hoarse from talking all day. There were times when I picked her up I'd drive home and have no recollection of any of the trip excepting arriving home. She had talked non-stop about EVERY thing that happened that day. I knew every incident with every child and everything that had transpired that day.
As our children grow up, enter the 10 almost 20 age, hit the teenage years where they know everything there is to know about everything in their world, they become different creatures. It seems at time that aliens have arrived on earth, either replacing our children or turning them into creatures we don't recognize or remember. Our thoughts go back to that happy, giggling baby and we reflect back on - what in the world happened?
As a divorced parent and raising two kids on my own, I reflect back to events and situations and wonder was it something I did? Am I to blame for this alien living in my house? This is where unconditional love comes into my mind and I know how God feels when we mess up, we walk away, and we ignore his words. He loves us in spite of the way we act, the way we talk, and the way we live.
God doesn't give up on us. There are times as parents all we can do is just love our children, and to let them go, let them make their own choices and decisions and trust in God to protect them and guide them. Even when dishing out tough love, our unconditional love continues.
If God had human form, I'm sure there would be many days he would have circles under his eyes, worry lines on his forehead, and feeling tired and drained. God promises us he will never leave us or forsake us. God gives us freedom of choice, freedom to choose right or wrong, and loves us unconditionally.
I pray for my children daily, to make the right choices, make good and smart decisions, and to seek God's guidance in all they do in life.
Unconditional love - a love that never stops, never gives up, and a love that is in spite of.
