Love Extravagantly…..The Greatest Gift of All
As I sat in our family room watching the kids open their
Christmas presents, I was reminded of Ian’s young-man’s promise to me years ago
and then again five years ago this May, to love me, his children, and my
children extravagantly.
No, not in that way of lots of money, too many gifts to
handle, spoiled-rotten kind of extravagance….although at times, I think he does
that, too.
The type of extravagance
he loves us with is that soul-sharing, deep-seated love which means that no
matter what, he is going to stand in front of, beside, and behind us. When we need something, he will work hard to
provide. When we don’t need and just
want, he is going to firmly and yet tenderly decline our want because he knows
real love gently declines that which draws us to selfishness and away from God. He does not claim perfection in his life, and in fact, shares his imperfections in truth. But, what he does do acknowledge that the same heavenly Father who forgives...does this out of his great love for each of us.
And, I think that is what I love most about Ian.
He steps aside so that
our children and I see God.
As a daughter of an earthy father (and mother) who did that
as well, I fully understand having my earthly father step aside in worldly life
so that his children could see…and recognize….and witness true love……
Authentic love
Extravagant love….as in lavish, bountiful, fulsome, and
plentiful…..
And, by doing so, he is teaching my children how to do
that….how to return love to others.
When someone loves you unconditionally and you know it…it
frees you
It unburdens your heart, your soul, your heart to love
others in ways you might not have found possible had you not been so loved
yourself.
That is what Ian does for me. For my children.
He wraps us up in his unfailing love….credits the
Father….and encourages that love to be shared with others.
You can see it in our eyes…our smiles…..our way of loving,
caring, and sharing with one another….like what I bore witness to last night.
So, on this Christmas Eve, as I am reminded of my many
blessings, I share my greatest….
To be loved extravagantly
For my children to be loved extravagantly
And, to witness their taking their cups which are
overflowing with love and care and kindness and sharing that with those around
them…
It’s a legacy Ian has given me, his, and my children….
And, I am grateful.
Be Blessed,
Lesa
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not
know us is that it did not know him. I
John 3:1
