Unconditionality

It's tough sometimes to watch your children from a far enough distance so as not to give them a complex. At the same time, it's hard to know when your too far away to help them gain confidence and shape their lives. It's hard not to get frustrated when others don't see in them what you do. Or when they aren't recognized as the best. It's hard not to feel hurt for them when they aren't the starter on the team or first chair in the band.

Grandparents have figured out the helping from a distance thing better than us parents. They ask questions like what did you learn, or what was your favorite part, or who are your friends in that group. In stead of how did you do, or did you get the position, or who beat you.

I think God is more like a grandfather than a father in that respect. I think God asks us those kind of questions. But, that comes from His unconditional love for us. You see, it doesn't matter what we accomplish as much as how we accomplish it with God. It doesn't matter where we end up as much as how we got there with God. It doesn't matter when we do stuff as much as if we listened to His direction on doing the stuff. One of my favorite verses speaks of God's unconditional love toward mankind. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) He did not send His Son because we had proven we were worthy! He did not send His Son because we had cleaned our lives up! He sent His Son because we were in need of a Savior. God loves us in spite of our failures and wrongs.

Parents, try to understand and show more unconditional love to your children; love them because of who they are, not because of what they have done. I know you do, but show them that!

Sinners (that's all of us!), except God's love just the way you are. Let Him decide who is worthy of His Son's sacrificial offering!