Our Great Love

I’m a rule follower, I love getting gold stars and good grades, and I am an oldest child through and through. So when my parents would say, “I’m proud of you,” I would assume it was because I had done something praiseworthy. But when I messed up, or snapped at my family, or skipped my homework until I was failing my history class, my parents would correct me and then say, “I love you, and I’m proud of you, no matter what.” 

Naomi White

But I didn't buy it. How could my parents love me and be proud of me no matter what I did?

When I was pregnant with my son, Everett, and felt his first kick, I was so excited! And throughout my pregnancy, my husband and I would feel him kicking and look at each other and say, “I’m so proud of him!” And when we changed his poopy diapers, we were filled with pride! Also, when he ate his first bite of pumpkin, when he took his first steps, when he laughed, or fell asleep, when we checked on him in the middle of the night and heard him breathing: I am proud of Everett for growing and for living, because of my great love for him!

When I look at my son, I get a glimpse into how God our Father must look at us. Romans 8:38 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God loves us no matter what!

In His Name,
Naomi