What characteristic do you remember most fondly about your mother, grandmother, or a motherly figure growing up? What do you treasure?
I remember how much my mother and grandmother loved me. It was a steady love I could count on. They believed in me, which helped me to believe in myself. They introduced me to God and His unconditional love, which gave me remarkable confidence as a child and adult.
Psychologists have proven that the amount of unconditional love (UCPR – Unconditional Positive Regard) a child receives profoundly affects healthy development and a strong sense of self-worth.
No matter what stage we are at with our kids: new moms, old ones, grandmas, or mentors, the best thing we can do for our children is to love them with God's unconditional love. That's why the greatest commandment He gives us is to love Him and Love others.
Mother Teresa said to "do small things with great love." God's love enables us to do this in our everyday lives—to take the temperature of the room instead of taking over. Instead of trying to fix it, love reminds us to listen. Instead of being critical, love accepts. Instead of being fearful about missing opportunities, it reminds us that love is the most important thing, and sometimes people just need a day off from their hectic schedules. Love reminds us to be gentle (even when running late) and to remember perfection is not the goal. I wish I had a do-over as a parent to let things go of those things that, in the end, don't matter.
Colossians 3:14 says, "Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
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