“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start.” – Mother Teresa
I live alone, so it’s easy to be nice to everyone living under my roof. However, I recall the days when my children were young and living at home, and it wasn’t so easy. I was a single, working mother and my children were involved in lots of activities. I raised my voice far too often, I gave way too many warnings, and I didn’t always follow through when things were promised. I wish I had a parenting “do over”, because I know I’d do a better job this time around. My children survived, and both are productive members of society and good mothers. Maybe they learned what NOT to do from me!
I’d like to give some advice to parents with young children right now; lighten up… look into those precious little eyes and see them as God sees them. He made them exactly the way He wanted them to be. He gave them gifts, He created them to enjoy certain things and to not enjoy certain things as much. He gave them to you as a gift to be cherished, so be good to them.
As a child, I believed that God could love me unconditionally because I experienced this kind of love from my parents. Your children will do the same; love them unconditionally and they’ll believe that God can love them the same way! Likewise, if you put limitations on your love for them, they may grow up to believe that God has those same limitations in His love for them.
Loving our neighbors begins by loving the people who live under our same roof. How can you show God’s love to your family today? It can begin with the words, “I love you!”
– Susan Easttom, Director of Family Ministry
