“We love him, because he first loved us.”–1 John 4:19
I don’t think I really had any idea about God’s love for me until I had a child of my own–not that I have ever or will ever fully grasp the depth of His love, but I can understand just enough through having a child. As a parent, there’s an element of unconditional acceptance of one’s children. Under most circumstances, children reciprocate the love they receive from their parents; it’s nearly a preordained concept. This relationship translates to us as children of our Father, God.
A few days ago, I was texting my son who had recently become a father; he alluded to the love he has for his newborn baby in this way: “I love her so much, it hurts.” I responded, “Like I love you.” My son, who is fatherless, has such an innate desire for fatherhood. He loves his baby girl with an intensity and tenacity that surpasses any selfish desire he may face. Isn’t it just like God to wire us in such ways that allow us to grow in the capacity we require? My son hasn’t known the love of a father, but he can now find some semblance of understanding how God loves us.
In a recent conversation with my sister, she alluded to her relief that her son has bypassed a particularly difficult phase that caused her perpetual uneasiness for some time. In turn, I reflected on how so many times through the years I had been unable to focus on anything in my own life when my son was experiencing any type of turmoil in his. As parents, the focus of our lives revolves around our children and their wellbeing. When that focus is disrupted by daily struggles or even trauma or tragedy, everything else takes a back burner, so to speak. Progress in any direction is put on hold until the problem is resolved, or at least is brought to some form of closure.
I have tried to imagine how God looks at us, His children, knowing of our weaknesses and propensity for sin. His answer was to provide His perfect Son, Jesus, to pay the price for all of us. Again, parenting has allowed me to just catch a mere glimpse of how God loves us and to provide the impetus for my loving Him in return.