My heart pounded as I voiced, “You won! You won the scholarship.”
I spoke those words to my daughter following the notification phone call. I was so proud and elated that Abby won a summer scholarship to a local university basketball program. This was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her and definitely a proud mommy moment for me.
Over the years, my children have been honored with many awards for academics and character achievements. Their rooms are decorated with blue ribbons, certificates, and shiny trophies. It makes me bubble up with joy when they are recognized for their hard work and determination.
I wonder if my parents were disappointed in my lack of earned awards? Growing up, I was ordinary. Not too smart, too pretty, or too adorned with many special talents. I was just common. Of course, deep in my heart, I knew my parents were proud of me and loved me unconditionally. I didn’t have to win awards for my parents to love me, and neither do my children.
God’s love for His children is the same. If you look up the words Paul uses to describe love in the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, they all point to one common word: accept. He accepts us with His love. No matter the awards that line our shelves, God accepts us. Regardless of how many good deeds we do, God accepts us. His love is everlasting and cannot be earned or exhausted. We don’t need any special qualifications to be lavished with His gift. Knowing that awards and trophies may give us temporary feelings of importance, I choose to take comfort in knowing God loves me despite my mediocrity.
What ways does God communicate His unconditional love to you? Find an area in your life where you need to practice a more accepting love toward others.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Alisha Ritchie is a wife, mother of two wonderful children, physical therapy assistant by profession, and dedicated church member and Sunday school teacher. She resides in the small town of Stanfield, North Carolina, where she enjoys writing, spending time with her children, and ministering to others through her work and small group Bible studies.