Craig Clouston

A Mother’s Love

January 5

Greater love has no one than this…

John 15:13

“Look, Pete,” Earl began. “I know that from your perspective what Barb did was wrong. I’m not saying she wasn’t. But would you allow me to speak a truth into your life about the why?”

Pete nodded his head in assent.

“Cassie and I have battled over the kids taking responsibility for things since they were old enough to understand, and most of the time we’ve been like-minded. But what took me forever to grasp and even longer to accept, is that there is a bond I don’t fully understand between my wife and our children that will cause her to sacrifice herself, and our relationship, for their sake.”

“That’s what’s so exasperating!” Pete said vehemently. “It’s like she doesn’t even care about what I think!”

Earl challenged Pete’s comment; “Now you know that’s not true, little brother! She loves you desperately. Listen, guys relate through respect and responsibility, women through emotional connection and nurture. Their children’s needs will always prevail, regardless of age or circumstance. You can’t hope to understand without supernatural intervention. So ask God to show you Barb’s heart; the depth of a love so great that she would sacrifice her own life for someone so precious to her. And then ask Him to reveal to you that she feels the same way about you in almost every other situation.”

†

Only a mother can truly comprehend this depth of love. Men, for the most part, are incapable of complete understanding because love is not first nature. And though our children should never be allowed to manipulate us, there are some battles we shouldn’t fight.

Men, I would suggest that you ask God for the grace to love deeper, in spite of your frustration, and seek a resolution within reason that can be reached without asserting your authority.

Mothers, I would ask that you consider your husband’s authority, and the charge God has placed on him to be the prophet and priest of his household.

Relating in grace is work. It requires us to place someone else ahead of ourselves.

“Prayer”

“LORD, You are the Author of a love so desperate that it would forsake everything for the life of another. Help us learn to love with such conviction! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”