Oh, the month of Valentine’s Day. Isn’t it wonderful? Honestly, all the messages of love floating around this time of year make me feel so warm and cozy that I want to kiss a puppy. Or curl up with a good novel. Or take ballroom dancing lessons. Or all three!
I’m grateful to have a wonderful husband and awesome children to love. Just the other day, one of my kids made me stop and realize how deep my love for him really is. Well, he didn’t make me realize it exactly. Instead, I realized my depth of emotion when another kid hurt my boy.
Oh, wow! I might get angry with my sons from time to time, but let someone else hurt one of them? Whew! This mama bear is ready to fight for her cubs! I know they’re not perfect, but they’re mine. I’d do anything to protect them. I’d give my life for them, no question about it.
My three sons
That sudden burst of emotion made me realize that what I feel for my children is real love, not the cheap I-think-you’re-hot-let’s-check-into-a-hotel stuff that’s often portrayed as love. No matter how many candy conversation hearts are dedicated to emotional fluff, real love is a much deeper thing. My heart pounded and tears rolled down my cheeks as I realized how grateful I am to have real love in my life.
And then I remembered. Deep within my spirit echoed these words:
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1).
Do you hear that? Not “that God would put up with us” or “that God would count us as friends instead of enemies” or “that we should be members of God’s household.” No, the word from God is that He makes us His children! That same parental love that he lets us experience–that depth of feeling that would prompt any of us to give our lives for our kids–that’s the kind of love God has for us. Not because we deserve it, but because that’s how He is.
Once again, my heart pounded and tears rolled down my cheeks as I realized what love really is. And at Valentine’s Day and every day, that’s something to celebrate, don’t you think?
About Richella Parham
Oh Richella…this momma bear totally understands what you are saying here! And it does help us to understand how The Father feels about His children! Thanks so much!
Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Linda, isn’t it just the BEST news ever that we has made us his children? It takes my breath away. And of course, as his kids, we really ARE sisters! Hallelujah!!
This mama bear gets it too!! This is a beautiful reminder of the Father’s love for us. Thank you~
Mary
Mama bears, unite! May we all realize what this means–that the deep love we have for our children is a little picture of the love God has for us. I think we have to have some “little” ways of looking at God, just to give us a brief glimpse into his amazing goodness. I am so glad he has made us his children!
Your post reminded me of the excellent book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. In that book he talks about how being a parent gives him a better understanding of the love that God has for us as his children. I highly recommend reading it!
Thank you, K! I have Francis Chan’s book on my nightstand right now–I need to go ahead and read it. You’ve certainly piqued my interest now. Thank you for the recommendation!
Every blessing to you!
Awww…. I love all the “mama bear” posts. I’m only a cub at the moment, but I’m so thankful to be blessed to have a Mom like the other women that posted. And, I can’t help but think sometimes, if I love my Mom that much, and if that’s what unconditional love looks like, I can’t even begin to imagine God’s love himself. What a beautiful thing, and yes, that’s real love. Not the candy hearts kind.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Ms. Ahlborn! You are blessed to have such a wonderful mom. She is blessed to have a loving daughter like you. And we are all blessed to have a heavenly Father who loves us so much that he has made us his children. We’d be privileged just to be his servants, wouldn’t we? Yet he has made us his children. What a wonderful blessing!
Thank you, Richella, for helping me see Valentine’s Day this year in a totally different way. For many reasons, I have been dreading it this year, but when I think of the love of the Father for us as His children, I realize it is worthy of celebration. I know the depth of His love for me, for He gave His only son to save me. I cannot imagine having to give up one of my four – what you so aptly described as the Mama Bear instinct. Thank you for the new perspective, dear friend!
Erin
Bless you, dear Erin! Isn’t it amazing to consider the love that God has for us? I believe he has given us parents a special glimpse into his very heart–and we are in awe at what we see there. I don’t deserve to be his daughter, and yet he has made me his daughter!! That fact just knocks me off my feet, and I think it’s good for all of us to consider at St. Valentine’s Day and always!
A beautiful post about true love. Yes the mama bear instinct that comes out.I love how you speak of the Father’s love. A message so many need to hear.
Thank you for sharing your heart today.
Denise, thank you for providing this place for women to share their hearts. We are indeed all sisters, aren’t we? We share our sorrows, we share our trials, we share our troubles. but most of all we have the same Father, who loves us so much.
For so many of us, the Father’s love seems to be doled out only when we “do the right things” or are “good enough.” Thank you for the reminder that God sees us as His precious children, no matter what. Why else would he give us kids to love so fiercely (I had a mama bear moment just the other day!)? It’s a picture of how much He loves us!
YES, Heathahlee! You’re so right about the way we often think. Why, oh why do we doubt God’s love? May we all remind one another of his love that endures forever. Wasn’t it kind of him to allow us a glimpse into his heart by letting us experience parenthood? God is so good!!
I think a Mother’s love is the closest feeling to what a loving Heavenly Father must feel for us.
I agree, Lisa! A mother’s love so strong. Isn’t it amazing to think the Father’s love for us is even STRONGER than that??
A fierce love that we glimpse as mamas.
Hey Stacey! Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Isn’t God kind to give us a glimpse of himself?
Oh, the Father’s love for us! Yes, that is exactly how He feels…these words you write are so true. Thank you Richella…
Daniele, I think that we at least have a bit of an idea of how much He loves us! To imagine that His love is even stronger than a mother’s love is just mind-boggling, isn’t it?
I would to say that nothing compares to the love of a mother but my years as a foster carer have kind of made me cynical.
What I do know is that my kids are my world, I love them with all my heart, even as we are facing these teenage years with all the angst.
I have come closer to God through these years a gentle reminder of his unconditional love.
Isn’t it sad that, in this fallen world, something could interfere with a feeling even as strong as a mother’s love? How grateful I am that God gave you an EXTRA measure of love so that you can provide for these children. Perhaps you have the best glimpse of all into His heart–a heart that loves us always and unconditionally.
Oh, how fierce and strong is the love of a mama for her babies! It’s hard to wrap your brain around God’s intense love for us. Thank you for this beautiful word picture, Richella!
It makes my heart swell to think of God’s loving me as much as I love my sons. That’s the greatest love I can imagine–and to think that he loves us even MORE?!? Wow. Amazing and humbling, isn’t it?
Beautifully put Richella! And handsome boys there too! I love that we are created in His image and the best comparison is that of a parent’s love of their child. We are His children! How cool is that???
You’re right, Lori–it’s the coolest thing ever! For him to make us his children, not just his servants or even his friends–wow!
Thank you for your encouragement. I think my boys are handsome, for sure! I have to admit, though, that it’s a little hard for them to be so mature–I miss my little boys! I love these young men, though, and I am so grateful to be their mom.
Beautiful, Richella! He is literally our Heavenly Father, the father of our spirits, and when you are a parent, I think you can get a little feel of just how much he loves us. How lucky your boys are to have parents that love them and love God!