Everyone I know loves to lavishly love their children and grandchildren. It’s evident when I talk with the hospital staff about their families; their eyes beam. It’s true with the closest of friends too. Marcia and I have been best friends since I was a teenager. A former colleague of mine often commented how my eyes always light up when I refer to her. Of course, it’s by design. We were created to love by the author of love himself, the one who lavishes his children with love.

 

Do you feel lavishly loved as a child of God? That is what we are! Just as we have hopes and good plans for our own children, God has good plans for us. Just as we love our children unconditionally, God lavishes us with his patient love. He continually draws us closer to him so we can be all that we are meant to be. He allows us to freely make poor choices that steal our best joy but he wants so very much more for us, just as you want so very much goodness for your own children. He speaks value and worth and hope into our lives. Oh that we would listen and lavishly love each other in the same way.

 

Part of the love we lavish on our children includes protecting them and nurturing them, helping them to remain pure in a corrupted world. It’s no coincidence that’s God’s good plan for his children too. One of the great tests of love is that we honor each other even when we disagree, even when we’re hurt. If we have neglectful or harmful habits, we stop them, not letting our own rights impede the love we so long to lavish on others; not letting negative emotions trick us into forgetting God’s promises. We search for ways of building each other up instead of tearing each other down. We commit to a lavish love that pays attention, listens, encourages, and honors. Not surprisingly, that’s God’s model for lavishly loving us.

 

Just as we work to protect our children from harm and watch that they don’t go astray, so it is with our heavenly Father’s concern for us. You’d give your life for your child. God did exactly that by giving us his Son Jesus. He doesn’t just love with words but actions and truth, giving us an example to follow.

 

As I think about my own children, I realize that lavish love believes. It believes in potential and it keeps on believing.

 

Love each other with lavish love.
Let God’s spirit of peace remain in you.
Protect it at all costs.
Keep believing.

 

(Reflections on 1 John 3)