The Habit Of Loving More

Jack is out of town...again...for work. This time he is in San Antonio. That is one place I wish we could have went with him. I love San Antonio...more acurately, I love the Riverwalk area in San Antonio. But, alas we had to stay at home. So we are missing him greatly. He has been gone for a week and is not expected home until at least Friday or Saturday. It is said that "Absence makes the heart grow fonder". I have found that to be SO true. And another thing I thought of the other day is that if he were still in the Air Force, he would possibly be gone to Iraq for months at a time. So, I am thankful that he will only be gone for a few days instead. I am definitely looking forward to this weekend when he comes home!

But it seems that I have a battle I have been facing on the homefront while he is away. Some may say it is normal "kid's stuff", but it is driving this Momma crazy. My children are having difficulty showing a little love and helpfulness to each other over the past few days...which then leads to them fighting with each other over every little thing. We have had many discussions on having "helping hands" and loving one another in the past. But, today I read a verse perfect for the occassion. Philippians 2:4 (The Message translation) says, "Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage, Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand". I read this to the kids and explained that we needed to have helping hands. And that it is a way to show someone that you love and care for them. I have found that when I show my children biblical principles that it helps them to understand the "why" in the principles/rules we have laid down.

But I wonder, as an adult, how many times have I gotten so wrapped up in "my little world" to see that there is someone else that needs my help? Probably too more times than I would like to admit. But, we serve a God of second chances. Like the Veggies Tales song says, "He's the God of second chances! You'll be floored how His love your life enhances! You can be restored from your darkest circumstances! Our God is a God of second chances!". His mercy (goodness, kindness & faithfulness) endures forever. Not only that, He does not keep a 'running total' of all the times we fail. 1 Corinthians 13 is a classic description of what kind of love He has for us. It also a great example of what kind of love we need to have for others. Now, I know my kids will have times that they do not seem to get along...they are normal kids. And, there are times that I fail to be sensitive enough to others around me. We ALL have times like these. But, perhaps it is time for us to get into the habit of loving more.

So as I go about my day, I have been thinking of what I can do to get into the habit of loving. Not that I am an unloving person...but how can I love more? What can I do to be more sensitive to others needs? How can I lend a helping hand? I may be only one person...but one can make a difference. For example, In 1845, Texas was admitted into the union as a state by one man's vote. When the Senate voted on this issue, a tie occurred. Then one senator changed his vote, and by this single vote, Texas became the 28th state. And so as think of how I have been blessed with two beautiful children...I am reminded that it is my responsibility to teach them and to make a difference in their lives. The Word of God says to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. That training consists of teaching, instructing, guiding and being an example of how they should act. So, today we are starting this training process by getting into the habit of loving more.