⁷ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:7-8

Dear God, when I was young and going to our local Baptist church, I learned this little Bible song:

Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another. First John four, seven and eight.

This reminds me of going back to my old standard from Galatians 5–the fruits of the Spirit. It starts with “love.” I usually focus on “peace” as an important litmus test as to how I am doing with you, but I suppose it does all, truly, start with “love.”

The biggest revelation of your love for me came when I had children. The following passage from Matthew 7 took on a whole new meaning for me:

⁹ “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? ¹⁰ Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ¹¹ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

What I found fascinating about parenthood was how ready I was to forgive mistakes they would make. It was super easy. I loved them so much. Even now, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for either of them if I thought it was good for them and what they needed. I am totally there even though they are grown and there has been hurt experienced on both sides.

So if you love me that much more than I love my own children, how much, then, am I supposed to love and care about others? How much more am I supposed to do for the world on your behalf? And how do I keep from getting outside of your will, but pursuing only those avenues that are ordained and blessed by you?

Father, fill me with your love. Let it start with my wife, then my children and their significant others, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Let it go to my friends and community. Help me to hear your still, small voice when I am in need of direction, correction, encouragement, and love. Help me to completely experience your love so that I can channel it into your world.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen