Love Like That

Today I was reminded of a Valentine’s Day 30 years ago. I received a gift that I still have today safely tucked away in my cedar chest. It was a note written on the heart shaped liner from a box of chocolates.

The note was written in the sweetest little kid hand writing and said, “Launa, I love you and your baby the mostest, love Josh.” It was from one of my younger brothers who was about six years old at the time.

The reason that this note is such a treasure to me was because it was given to me at in my life when I had made big mistakes and was not feeling much love. I was 18 years old, had just finished Travel School and started working for the airlines. I will living a very rebellious life style and had just found out that I was pregnant.

My parents were extremely disappointed and embarrassed with my situation and let me know exactly how they felt and what they expected. So called friends quickly disappeared so they wouldn’t be guilty by association and I was feeling very alone. At this point I had no intention of marrying the father of the baby either.

Then came Valentine’s Day. Oh how I hated the thought of this over marketed holiday and wanted to hide out until it was over. I was at home that night trying to keep my mind occupied with other things when my little brother walked up to me with his little hands behind his back and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”I was so touched by his innocent and pure love. That card meant the world to me that night and I have kept it as a special treasure all these years.

Fast forward to six years later. My situation hadn’t improved much and due to continued bad choices I was now recently divorced with two small boys, ages six and two. I had just lost everything and by everything I mean all my worldly possessions. I had to surrender all my assets to pay creditors and was left with only walls and carpet in my home.

Thankfully the home was owner financed and he was a kind man that would work with me until I could get back on my feet. As I left the bankruptcy court I felt like a complete failure. My kids did not deserve this and I had no idea how to explain it all them.

When we returned home it looked like we had been robbed, everything was gone. No furniture, no decorations, no nothing. I told the boys that I had messed up and that I was sorry. I promised to do my best to fix it and that I would always take care of them.

Mitch, my oldest, asked where we would sleep because we didn’t have beds any more. I told him that we would sleep on the floor in sleeping bags together. His response was a loud yell of, “Yes! We get to camp out in the living room. You’re the best mom ever!” I was completely shocked and humbled by his response.

In both of these situations the simple, pure love of a child changed everything. Due to my choices I felt like a failure, less than, unloved and worthless. But because they showed that beautiful unconditional love, I had hope and truly felt loved.

When Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, that unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” I know He was talking about believing. But I also think that He meant loving unconditionally.

Loving unconditionally is just that, loving without conditions. Conditions change, people change, life changes; our love should not. But to love like that, like an innocent child who only sees the good, that’s how I want to be.

I know how deeply conditional love hurts and I also know how amazing unconditional love feels. I’m grateful for the reminder to become like little children in my love for others. God’s word gives a wonderful guideline for love:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

I want to love like that!

My prayer

Father, thank you for the reminder of moments that I’ve experienced unconditional love. Lord You always have loved this way and I want to do the same. Help me to love like that Lord. To help people who are at their lowest know that there is hope and they have purpose. To give encouragement to someone after a failure to try again. Lord you have done those things for me, let me do them for others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”