“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)
These words are so familiar. I’m certain I studied them in Sunday School as a youth. I studied them as Leon and I prepared for marriage. Each time, the words of this famous chapter in the Bible gave me a different perspective on love and Jesus’ love for us.
Now that I’m a mother, I find myself conveniently providentially studying those words again.
Becoming Asher’s mum has reminded me of how selfish I can be. In the early days of figuring out life with a newborn, it was so easy to get annoyed and frustrated with Asher when he was hungry, tired, cranky, etc. at times that were inconvenient for me. Then I realised that with becoming a mother came the lesson in laying down my life. Being a mother, especially the mother of an almost-8-week-old, is a selfless job. I give, and Asher doesn’t give back very much, if at all.
It kind of reminds me of my relationship with Jesus. He gave so much for me, and I don’t give much back. He selflessly died on the cross for me. He loves me without condition. He is patient with me. I could go on.
“A sacrifice, staggering and true, for love of His very own. We learn love from His laid down.” —Ann Voskamp; A Holy Experience
There’s a blog post I stumbled across this weekend that sums up what I’m learning about being a mother beautifully. In it, the writer talks about how mother ducks selflessly use their best feathers from their own coat to line their nests. They don’t use the leftover, dirty feathers laying around like I’m tempted to do at times. I need to give my best. Just like my Saviour gave His best for me.
