When they become parents, many husbands and wives become more aware of the love God the Father has for them. Many dream of having a child in their arms long before they’ve conceived. And when they do, they love their child even though they haven’t yet seen the first smile. It is the same with God. He thought about us long before the mountains rose, and today He continues to proclaim, “I love you!” This word of love spoken day and night from the bottom of our heart is the reason for our existence: it is a truth that must be meditated upon every day.
Parents: Reflections of the Mystery of God
Parents may have many children, but they deeply love each one. What suffering if one of the children imagines they are less loved than their brothers and sisters! And what about God? God also loves us in an absolutely primal way. Even when we have the impression that in a given circumstance He has forgotten us, we believe that He is doing everything for our own good (Romans 8:28). What a mistake we make when we envy a neighbor for having wonderful talents or luxurious surroundings. Even though it may not seem so, no one isunloved in God’s family.
The foolishness that teenagers commit does not prevent their parents from loving them. What joy in a father’s heart when he can finally embrace the prodigal son who returns from his adventure! Well, God is just as happy when we ask him to forgive us for having been away from him for years. And it is often after we have made some stupid mistake that we finally realize how much love He has for us — unconditional love. The pride that parents feel when their children are successful allows them to get an idea of the Father’s joy when His creatures show such generosity. The Bible explicitly states that He “will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17), that He “takes pleasure (…) in those who trust in his constant love” (Psalm 147:11).
Ask the Lord for help
And what about the ambition in the hearts of so many parents, who spare no effort to ensure that their children have a better life than theirs? The Lord’s ambition is infinitely greater. He intends to give us a heart burning with love. We need only ask with trust and faith, opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit, so that through Jesus Christ, it will be filled with love.
Therefore, parents must never forget that God prepares much greater surprises for His children than what they themselves could have imagined. Jesus himself says: “As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks!”
Abbot Pierre Descouvemont
Read more:
How fatherhood changed my views of masculinity
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