By Bethany Pitman
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him (1 John 3:1 ESV).
First birthday parties bring pure joy. As the star steps onto the stage, adoring parents, smitten grandparents, and admiring fans laugh as the baby makes a complete frosting mess. The crowd cheers as the baby toddles, falls, and gets back up again. Despite the mess and the falls, parents clean up while showering their child with love. For this day, the beloved child is met with nothing but adoration, love, and acceptance.
When does the shift happen? When does it become unacceptable to make a mess or “fall down” when learning a new skill? When do we start rejoicing in one another’s failures rather than cheering when someone learns from mistakes and courageously starts again?
The world can be an unkind place—one that meets us with scorn instead of love. Thanks be to God that we are IN the world, but we are not OF the world. In God’s eyes, we are all his beloved one-year-olds. He cleans us up when we make an utter mess of things. He picks us up when we fall. He meets us with nothing but love. He is an adoring Father who delights in us.
Is there someone in your life who is learning something new—someone who has made a mess of something or taken a fall? How can you reflect the Father’s love to that person?
Prayer Starter:
Dear Father, thank you for picking me up when I fall, cleaning me up when I make messes, and delighting in me. Help me reflect your love to (insert name). You know s(he) is struggling. Show me how to offer encouragement and love to (insert name) today . . .
