Extravagant Love - Undeserved Grace

I have a son, he’s 15. He loves smoothies, grilled food, Japanese food and for his mom to do anything that resembles him being considered her baby boy. So – it was Friday morning quite early and after my two mile walk and my morning devotional time I got in the kitchen and made him a nice tropical fruit smoothie. I failed to mention to you that on Thursday I made sure I had his favorite sandwich bread and sandwich meat in the house so that I could coax his dad into fixing his lunch for him – on this same Friday morning. I drove him to school and went home to begin my day, but alas – he forgot something important at home so I cheerfully took it to him at the school. I got back home and began to start my day, and caught a glimpse of his bedroom – and since it was Friday, I cleaned it up for him. Now cleaning his room is not a daily practice – but today, I cleaned it. While I was cleaning it – I discovered many clothes that needed laundering so what the heck, I did the laundry too. Before I knew it 2pm so I ran downstairs to tidy up before going to pick him up from school. He forgot to tell me that he had something after school – so he was a little late coming out, no need to waste gas so I just waited in the car. When we got home he was starving so I fixed him a nice snack and ordered pizza from his favorite pizza place for dinner. What a Friday! Saturday morning I got up and fixed Hash Brown Stacks – he loves those! Hash browns topped with egg, Canadian bacon and cheese. While he ate breakfast I ran over to a nearby store and picked up coals so that I could grill him a nice lunch – he loves grilled food! Later I took him to the movies because there was a film he really wanted to see – we ate junk food – he loves that! And then finally sleep on Saturday night. Not once did my son say THANKS - HMM?

Sunday morning I woke up and went downstairs and while looking in the fridge I feel arms encompassing my waist – well, it’s my 15 year old and he says “I love you mama!” It has been 48 hours since that Friday morning, not one ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate you’ or ‘you da bomb’ – but those four words did it for me. I know I love my son with an extravagant love, not because he has earned it – but because it is my charge, my calling, my privilege to reflect Christ to him, in spite of him.

Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving; and that in Hebrews 4:16 we are reminded that God’s throne is a place where we can find grace. Unmerited favor, unwarranted love and undeserved forgiveness – extend it to others just as you have received it.

Now - think about your Friday mornings – you know when the Father provides your food, health, clothing, shelter, transportation, comfort, joy, peace, etc. and you too don’t think about a thank you until Sunday morning and sometimes not even then. I want to challenge you to transform your relationships with your children. Determine to love them extravagantly despite their attitudes, faults and failings. Determine to love them extravagantly whether they are babies or adults. Determine to extend grace to them and reflect the character of God in their lives.

Extravagant love – you have received it, now give it away.