Christ Like Love Through My Child's Eyes

Being a mom has taught me so many things. I've learned that one can function on 4 hours of sleep while still managing to keep an infant alive. I've learned privacy in the bathroom is a gift, not a right. I've learned that most tasks can be accomplished with one hand while holding your child with the other if you want them done badly enough. 

In all seriousness, motherhood has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. Most importantly, it's given me a glimpse into how much the Heavenly Father must love us. 

When Preston was about 8 months old, I laid him down on the bed. He was wiggling at this point but not yet crawling. I turned my back for 5 seconds to check the computer behind me, and the next thing I heard was a loud thud on the floor. Thud, and then instant screaming from my sweet, pudgy baby. 

I scooped him up and rushed him to the rocking chair so I could hold him. He was screaming, but I didn't see anything to immediately be concerned about, so I just held him. In that moment, I probably apologized 100 times. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Mommy is so sorry, I love you so much" came out of my mouth over and over and over. He finally calmed down, and he just clung to me while time stood still. He took in deep breaths as he caught his breath from all of the crying, but he wouldn't stop clinging to me and hugging me. 

It was my job to watch Preston and completely my fault that he fell off the bed. I blamed myself, but my child forgave me instantly. He loved on me and clung to me to show me that he loved me, that he still wanted me and needed me. His love had always been, and remained, unconditional, just as Christ's love for us remains. 

In an instant, I turned my back and he fell off the bed. I think this sort of thing happens all the time, but letting my child fall off the bed on my watch was probably the guiltiest I have ever felt. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday, but my baby never held it against me. He forgave me immediately and loved me through it. This is what Christ does for us. 

Babies forgive completely and love unconditionally. The way my son loves me is the most unconditional love I have ever felt. He literally thinks I hung the moon. And yet, that love is still only a fraction compared to how deeply our Father loves us. 

Today, I hope you are reminded that you are so deeply loved and treasured by your Creator, and He loves you so much more than anything we could ever comprehend.