He Gave and We Should Give – Understanding My Mom’s Love

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians‬ ‭2:1-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I am amazed by people who can give to the detriment of themselves out of love. I know this happened with God sacrificing His Son, but are there people who possess this character trait in our selfish “look out for myself” environment.

My mother is one of those people. She has hope and love in a manner which I view as “beyond hope!” A hope so beyond, that she loves and sacrifices to her own detriment, that others may be better or hopefully do better.

Although I recognize I may have inherited scant traces of this trait, I can’t imagine going to the extent I have seen her go for our family. Out of faith and love she pours, hoping for change. She gives and then gives more. I’m not even sure she’s seen positive results. She sacrifices and more is taken or demanded with seemingly no appreciation or acknowledgment of the extent of her actions.

I want to acknowledge her… I want to honor her. (I feel like I have fussed at her out of love all week long. She needs to know I understand, but out of my love for her I still need to speak up.)

She is my living example of what God did for us. She sacrifices, out of love, in hope that others may live. She gives in hope that others may change. In my mind, my Mom is the epitome of “let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus.” She gives so much in many different ways to save those she loves.

She doesn’t shout from the rooftops her sacrifice. Quietly, and if she could secretly from me, she devotes herself to the improvement of others. She hopes in others. She believes in others.

That’s love…

For God so loved us…

I believe it is only through faith in God that we are able to acquire this type of faith to love as God does. His sacrifice was not easy, but it had to be done for the sake of world. He did it because He loves us – He believes in the best for us – for He is love.

We are challenged to “let this mind be in us which is also in Christ Jesus.” What type of mind are we asked to acquire?

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”

Scripture states we are to be likeminded, having the same love and being on one accord with Christ. We should be looking out for one another.

God sent His Son because He knew we would mess up. He knew we wouldn’t always or ever get things right. He loved and loves us so much He sent and then sacrificed His son for some stiff-necked fickle people who like the Israelites, others, and us – have no clue and often disregard the love shown.

Just as God sacrificed and sacrifices, we too are called to lift and support others around us – even when they are taking advantage. We’re given the task of assisting even when it is difficult because we can’t see progress.

A friend of mine advised me as I unloaded my frustration – “Daph, have you ever considered – that is what makes your mother happy – that those actions to stabilize are what she really wants to do.” That could be her calling…

I woke this morning and read the opening scriptures. I think I am beginning to understand. Smile 🙂 – I’m not sure whether I’ll stop fussing or she will stop giving, but I am prayerfully going to attempt to understand.