My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  John 15:12-14

Following Jesus’ Example of Love

Let’s follow Jesus’ example of love as we train our children.

We must love our children as Jesus loved us, giving up His very life for us. We give up our lives for our children daily, but let’s take it an extra step by having His attitude, too (Philippians 2:5), the attitude of a servant. It’s not the attitude of a victimized slave, forced to work without reward. 

Have you ever heard yourself saying, “No one appreciates me around here. I do all this (cooking/cleaning/working hard to bring home money) for our family and I come (into this room/home) to (fighting/messes/more work) and no one even takes into account all the work I’ve already done.”

Part of laying down our lives for our loved ones includes laying down our entitlement. Would you like to be shown appreciation? Sure, that’d be nice, but are you due appreciation as part of being a spouse and parent? Do you work hard so your family will appreciate you or should you be working hard to honor God and care for your family? 

Perspective Change

Maybe today’s the day for a perspective change or as school counselors used to say in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s an “Attitude Adjustment.” Maybe we need a “Chill Pill” which in 5th grade for me was a Smartie, so buy some of those don’t take me out of context here! 

Maybe we need to remember the actual sacrifice Jesus made for us and how often we live our lives like we deserved it or were entitled to mercy and grace. Maybe we need to show our family a little grace and mercy instead of expecting lavishing applause as we walk in the door. 

Show Jesus you love Him back by doing what He commanded… love others the way He loves you, no expectation, no demanding, no “woe-is-Me.” Just Love. Love.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

What in your attitude about working needs to be adjusted to love your family well this week?