Skip to main content

Extravagant Love

I was reading an article written by a mom the other day about loving her children. This doesn't really seem an article worthy topic; most mothers love there children. She took it a step further.

First she related a situation with her then 1 year old son who wanted to nurse all.the.time. It was driving her crazy and she was trying to wean him before his new baby brother was to be born. The more she pushed him away, the more he wanted her. So she switched mind sets and therefor, strategies. Any time he so much looked her way, she offered to nurse him. He was thrilled and nursed close to non stop for a few day. Then a funny thing happened. He started saying no. He was soon weaned.

She then told a story of her older son. After a hard year filled with divorce and moving homes, he was wanting to sleep with her. For a while she said no, then agreed to every other night. Then she said he was welcome in her bed any time. Drastic things happened. He was happier during the day and did better in school. Soon, he happily slept in his own bed.

She related these stories under the heading of extravagant love. I like that. She talked about how loving our children in the way that THEY need isn't always convenient for us. Some might even think it is weird. She went above just meeting the need to meet the true desire of the childs heart.

So often as mothers we get sucked into the "good enough". The baby is happy in her bouncy seat so I will stay on the computer. The toddler is coloring by herself so I will just fold laundry. It is hard to make the choice to be extravagant when "good enough" gets us by. It is the choice between "good" and "best". It is a choice to meet the needs of someones heart when it doesn't coincide with the wants of our flesh.

I have a Father who chose to love me in an extravagant way. He sent His son so that I wouldn't ever have to settle for a life that is just "good enough". I have within me the power to have an extravagant life, but not without cost.

I have to decide to love others in an extravagant way, knowing that people will think I am odd. When I choose to go on a mission instead of a vacation or when I decide to sponser another compassion child instead of adding more to my 401k. If I choose to give up all that this world tells me matters and instead set out in the footsteps of The One who showed me what extravagant love was by His death for me, I will not have a life that is just "good enough". Things happen when we choose to love others in a way that is above and beyond. God things happen.

Comments

Jennifer McHam said…
preach it sister.
23 April, 2010 08:47
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Working on my Domestic Goddess Badge

I looked at the to-do list I made last week and am happy to say I can cross off almost everything on it. It only took me 2 weeks. I think I either need smaller lists or more time. Here is what I have been up to: -I have made 2 loaves of banana oat bread, 1 batch of blackberry strawberry freezer jam, 1 loaf of gluten free bread. -From 12 juiced grapefruit I made grapefruit curd and a pan of grapefruit bars. -My garden is almost completely done, including a upgrade in size. I am growing tomatoes, onions, peppers, potatoes , cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower , herbs, lettuce, spinach , green beans, snap peas, cucumbers, and kohlrabi. -I hung herbs to dry -I have folded massive amounts of laundry...with more yet to do. All washed with my homemade laundry soap. -I recovered the "green monster" which is another post entirely. -I added a sitting area in my bedroom, where I am currently sitting, so that my laptop has a home other than the kitchen table. - I got a new dining room table a...
23 comments
Read more

Sugar Free and Me

Not so long ago, I went to the Doctor. It had been a while. The last time I had seen a doctor I was having a baby. Since the trip was long over due, I had all my blood work and such done. Everything came back just fine...well, almost everything. The same genes that make me a celiac are also the ones they see in diabetics. Double whammy crappy genes. My fasting blood sugar came back at 99. You are considered pre-diabetic at 100. Ugh. I have been successfully ignoring this information for months. Last week I went to the doctors again, twice in one year! This may be a non-pregnant record for me. I hate going to the doctor, it is expensive and inconvenient and they always find a reason to poke you. I was discussing with my doctor my up-coming surgery (don't freak out, it isn't anything big, just a bump in my hand) and she asked about my over all health. She asked how I was handling my blood sugar. Funny thing about doctors, they don't really want to hear about how you find the ...
2 comments
Read more

Life

I haven't really updated on what the Crocker fam has been up to lately. Maybe because my life is just not that exciting? I do have some cute new pictures. So, lets see, we went up into the mountains (well, Evergreen) and went leaf peeping, walked around the lake and ate at Beau Joes (they have gf pizza). We went on a nice bike ride with the girls. Matt and I had our 9 year anniversary , he was soooo sweet and had flowers delivered and chocolates from See's. We are going to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 60 th anniversary this Friday. That about covers it! Here are some pictures!
6 comments
Read more