John 13:1-5It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
So he got up....the scene is set, the time has come to be betrayed, beaten, mocked, and killed. How did He do this? How did He take the time to love like this, especially on the very night with all that was about to unfold? He knew His purpose. The Bible says Jesus knew. He knew who He was, where He had come from, and where He was going. So he got up and loved the disciples in a very personal way.
I was created by God to live and walk this path as the mother of the children He has placed in my home. As wife to my husband and helper and encourager to my brother-in-law. God put me here at this place and on this path, for a reason. This is my purpose. He has put these souls in my care for just a short time and I am to love and nurture them. To show them Christ as we journey together. No one tells you when you are looking at the cute baby outfits in the store that it will be hard at times to love your children. I did not know how hard this path would be, how much of my own sin would stare back at me. Love is hard, because you cannot check it off, because you will always have to grow in love. Every day, every moment, you will have the opportunity to love so much.
How do I do this? By grace. I follow the example of my Savior. He did not complain, or feel that this was a burden, but that it was an act of love; focused, intentional love. So by His grace, I need not complain about how much work I have to do, and not get overwhelmed or anxious about the task ahead of me. By his grace I need to remember my purpose, by His grace I need to set forth to do it in His love.
I was created by God to live and walk this path as the mother of the children He has placed in my home. As wife to my husband and helper and encourager to my brother-in-law. God put me here at this place and on this path, for a reason. This is my purpose. He has put these souls in my care for just a short time and I am to love and nurture them. To show them Christ as we journey together. No one tells you when you are looking at the cute baby outfits in the store that it will be hard at times to love your children. I did not know how hard this path would be, how much of my own sin would stare back at me. Love is hard, because you cannot check it off, because you will always have to grow in love. Every day, every moment, you will have the opportunity to love so much.
How do I do this? By grace. I follow the example of my Savior. He did not complain, or feel that this was a burden, but that it was an act of love; focused, intentional love. So by His grace, I need not complain about how much work I have to do, and not get overwhelmed or anxious about the task ahead of me. By his grace I need to remember my purpose, by His grace I need to set forth to do it in His love.
John 13:35 By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
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