Lovin’ On my Kids!

When I see the words “lovin’ on my kids” I envision wrapping my arms around them, breathing in their sweet scent (well, at least after a bath), kissing their foreheads and cheeks, and the giggling which spills forth from their precious little selves.

I love on my kids often, but a fair amount of time between snuggles I can be anything but loving. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, fussy and forget what a privilege it is to love on my precious children.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’m trying to decide the best way to celebrate – to romance my children with God’s love.

A few years ago I cut out a bunch of paper hearts. On each I wrote either a Bible verse or a child’s attribute I loved:

I love Zach’s servant’s heart.

I love how Emma sacrificially loves on her siblings who aren’t feeling well.

I love how Peter never goes to bed without praying with me.

I love Elizabeth’s tender heart.

I love how Allison can make anyone smile.

Decorating into the wee hours was well worth my children’s happiness in the morning. Even my teenagers seemed to like it. In fact my teenage daughter wanted me to leave the hearts up indefinitely. They didn’t come down until the edges curled.

I want to do something a bit different this year–beyond cards in their lunches and hearts on the cabinets. How can I truly romance my children with the love of God?

I pray God would love my children through me. Sometimes I feel far from able to love these dear children adequately. My emotional tank is often running on low. But Praise God! His tank never runs low. I’m thinking what I need to do is love ‘em like Jesus!

Like Jesus, I’ll spend time with the Father by myself so His love poured into me overflows to my children.

Like Jesus, I’ll teach my children diligently – when we are home or in the car, in the morning and in the night (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). On some hearts I’ll write the ways God is answering prayers and working in our lives.

Like Jesus, I’ll try to model godliness and show my children through my actions, words, and even my thoughts how to live in a way that brings God glory and great pleasure. After Valentine’s dinner we can pray for friends, family, and even some of the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Like Jesus, I’ll seek to be kind-hearted, compassionate, loving, and willing to expend myself for my children. I’ll offer them grace and mercy. But I’ll also love them through consistent and loving discipline. I’ll love on ‘em throughout the day with my words, actions and even my thoughts.

Like Jesus, my love will not lessen because they are grumpy, fussy and difficult.

And all these things I long to do, I will do because God gives me the strength and ability.

I can absolutely love ‘em like Jesus, because Jesus loves me!