“And so I am sure confident that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 1:6
When my wife and I became parents, we only considered two priorities most important, like most parents: 1. Keep them alive. 2. Squeeze them, kiss them and love them with all our hearts. Little did we know how they would develop, and with the addition of a sibling, be able to share that same love with each other that we poured into them.
The main thing I see going on between my boys (5 years old and 2 years old) is silly games which somehow lead to pushing, shoving and someone getting upset. However, the other night I witnessed something so special that was worth all the pushing, shoving and crying multiplied by ten. We had been working on the house all day and the boys were confused by our focus being in so many different areas that by bedtime they wanted to be with us, so we let them sleep in our bed. After some time, only my oldest son and I were still awake. I looked over at him and noticed he was staring at his sleeping brother’s face. This was no passing glance. He was studying him the way I know I have looked at their sleeping faces before. With so much love. I immediately said, “Hey, do you love your brother?”, and he looked at me and nodded so confidently that it left me speechless. The work God has been doing with their relationship had caught me off guard in the best way. As much as their mother and I try to teach them, there are values and cares they pick up when we are not around them that will only get stronger as they grow together under our roof.
I have witnessed other instances of this since that night, because I am looking for them I suppose. I like to think God is reminding me to keep up what we’re intentionally instilling in them, and to be ready for these nuggets of pure love that come from living your life devoted to other human beings. To share what Christ has done for us and to commit to a loving relationship with those around us is such a gift. I cherish the thought of the next instance I will get to witness.
Dear God, thank you for loving us and for allowing us to build relationships of love and kindness with others. It is a gift that continually fills our cups, and intensifies our joys as well as soothes our griefs.
Written By: Matt Morrison