Love.  Everyone wants to be loved.  I often challenge my children to find the good in each other and express their love for one another through words and actions.  One morning we began with the simple challenge, “Tell us why you love each member of our family.” As my turn came to receive the love, each child chimed in with their replies about me, Mom.  The first one hit me in the deepest part of my heart and helped me remember how important my role as “mom” is in their precious little lives.  In her sweet, little voice she said, “Mom, I love you because YOU love us so much.”  Her answer captivated my thoughts and took me to the verse, “We love him, because he first loved us.” I John 4:19

Her words reminded me that parents are the first example of love that children experience.  Whether good or bad, how parents love is how children will learn to love.  It is a sobering thought to think that my children will potentially love as much or as little as I do.  As if having children isn’t daunting enough, now I am actually responsible for the way they love.  Wow, what a huge responsibility!  Although I am a primary example to my children of what love should look like, they constantly challenge me to love more genuinely and faithfully.  Here are a few lessons children have taught me about LOVE:

1. They say, “I love you” often (usually along with a sweet hug and kiss).  It is interesting to me the timing of children’s words. They are unpredictable.  I love the sudden moments of sweet little “I love you’s.”  For some people these words may not mean much or may carry hurt and heartache from broken promises, but for our family it means everything is going to be okay.  You are accepted and safe.  You are important and cherished.  It means that the giver of the words is thankful for the receiver of the words and wants them to know it.

2. They forgive easily.  Having been hurt a time or two, I have struggled in the area of forgiveness many times.  Hearing my children say, “I forgive you,” after I have overreacted, or dealt too harshly with them, amazes me.  If I would have been on the receiving end of the harsh words, my brow would be furrowed, tears might stream down my face, and I would think about it over and over – sounds like a recipe for disaster and bitterness, don’t you think?  But, not children, they forgive quickly and do not hold grudges.

3. They do not bring up my past failures as a mom.  They leave the past behind.  They let me live in the present without the shame of my mistakes.  They see me mess up, and they let me move on.  What a precious gift to give someone that you love.

There really is a lot we can learn from children.  Although it is my responsibility to teach my children how to love, forgive, not hold grudges, and move on, they have taught me more about those things than I can even begin to express.  I am thankful for their loving forgiveness.  If we, as adults could grasp a little bit of childish forgiveness and unconditional love, we would have fewer severed relationships and a lot more love and acceptance of each other.

When the disciples challenged Jesus with the question of who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus’ answer is not what they expected.  He told them whoever becomes like a little child: trusting, forgiving, humble – they are the greatest.  Matthew 18:4

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

Oh, to see through the eyes of a child, forgive quickly and truly love one another without conditions.

What have you learned from the little ones in your life?

How has it changed you?