The Things We Do for Love!
Oh, the things we do for love! Our Apostle Paul described the strong love a husband has for his wife, when he wrote by inspiration, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her.” (Eph. 5:25)
The Greek word Paul used twice for “love” was agape, the highest form love takes, a love that is selfless, fully serving and caring for the one loved. It is the same word used by the Apostle John, when he wrote “For God so loved the world, …” (Jn. 3:16)
Children are a blessing from God, and God has put a spirit of protection, a “spark” of Himself, within a parent’s heart. If you have been blessed to be a parent, you have felt it.
When I was a little boy, I got separated from my Dad in the big Sears Store, in downtown Detroit. I had let go of my Dad’s big hand, to look at the shiny things behind a glass display counter. I quickly realized that my Dad was not with me, and I was alone and unprotected.
I began to cry, as a store clerk took my hand and led me to a “lost child” area. I remember how nice the store people were, and the soothing sweet, peppermint candy I was given. After awhile, my Dad came and claimed me. Oh, how happy I was! I don’t think that I let go of Dad’s big hand for the rest of the shopping trip!
It wasn’t until I was 30 that I realized how my Dad must have felt long, long ago. Cheryl and I took a trip to the West with our little boy, Tim, who was four at the time. We had pitched camp at Grant Park within Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It was a beautiful, wild place!
I went to the restroom, after setting up our campsite. When I finished, I returned to the campsite, and Cheryl asked the fateful question, “Where’s Tim?” He had followed me to the restroom, but I didn’t know it, and now I had returned without my son! A quick return and check of the restroom yielded no Tim! Word got around our campsite, and fellow campers began calling for Tim. After 15 anxious minutes, Tim was found, carelessly walking among the trees! Cheryl and I will probably never forget the anxiety and panic we felt, as we searched for our lost boy!
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, God went looking for them. He loves us too much to leave us lost. He is willing to pay any cost to find us and to bring us home. Oh, the things we do for love!
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