The Way of Love

My almost three-year-old Matthew was determined to push the limits at every turn today.  I struggled from the moment he woke up until the early evening hours.  My challenge was in choosing the way of love.

There was a moment in the day when I went into his room to debrief after a time-out and tears came to my eyes as I talked to him about obedience and kindness.  How my heart wanted for him to choose obedience going forward, but I knew that ultimately it would be his decision.  As we both walked out of his room, I knew deep inside that I could not orchestrate a submissive heart within him.  He must choose it.

It's difficult to parent from a position of love instead of control.

Love is patient.  Love is kind. Love bears all things. Love endures all things.  It was hard to choose love today, but I was reminded that I must choose love if I am to minister to my child's heart.

At the end of the day, the Lord gave me a gift.  I had given Matthew a bath and he was ready to go to bed. He came running to me and climbed on my lap.  His big brown eyes stared at me and with the sweetest smile he said, "I LOVE YOU!" His little arms wrapped around me and my heart finally found a resting place.  We both settled into the embrace.  All the wrongs of the day were made right with a moment of love.

Thank you Lord for choosing love every time.  Help me to take in more of your love that I would be more able to pour it out over my children.  Oh, that they would receive patience, kindness, service, and delight from me. Amen.