Really Good News

Tomorrow my oldest son will graduate from High School. I am proud of him and his accomplishments. I will refrain from waxing eloquent about those successes, however, because I would still be proud of him without his accomplishments. His value to me is in no way dependent upon his productivity and/or high achievements.

Do his good grades make me smile?
     Yes.
Do I enjoy his musical ability?
     For sure.
Do I respect his commitment to physical health?
     Definitely.

If rather than good grades, he achieved lower ones (and those lower ones were the product of good effort), I would still be proud.

If his guitar playing sounded like a musical mess, I would still be glad he loved music.

I am glad that he is determined to train and care for his body, but I do not think more of him because of his healthy weight and sculpted arms.

Why am I proud of Max? Why do I love him? Because he is my son!

I love my oldest son, my daughter, and my youngest son because they are mine. Period.

While their actions and achievements do add joy, they do not add love.

I learned that from my Father. (My lower-case father, too!) My Father in heaven teaches me to love as He loves. My Father loves me because I am His child. Period.

Do my acts of obedience make Him smile?
     Yes.
Does He enjoy my worship through song?
     For sure.
Does He like it when I care for my physical body?
     Definitely.

While my actions and achievements do bring God joy, they do not add love. He loves me for me. And here's the really good news! The same is true about you!

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1 John 3:1a (NIV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

#ordinarylives