The Love of God Displayed

A few weeks ago, as we faced the prospect of two surgeries, one to replace the tubes in Wesley's ears and one to repair my umbilical hernia, the thought of caring for our boys while also attempting to maintain our daily schedule of therapy and school seemed daunting, if not impossible.  But it was in the midst of this that God displayed His love and care for us.  God provided far and above all that we could have asked for, through ladies in our church who love Him and as a result have a heart to serve those in need around them.  We were so blessed to see firsthand what the love of God looks like as displayed through these dear ladies.

Love is offering (last minute) to leave your house by 5:15 in the morning to care for boys all day while their parents take their brother to the hospital for surgery.

Love is graciously following specific guidelines to bring delicious meals to a family full of picky eaters.

Love is spending a week full of twelve hour days caring for three boys while Mom lies nearby and watches.

Love, especially for a college student, is arriving at our house promptly at 6:30 every morning, ready to serve the moment you walk in the door.

Love is changing explosive diarrhea numerous times with a smile on your face.

Love is being slapped in the face more times in a week than you've been hit in your entire life and responding graciously each time.

Love is leaving your family to fend for themselves and coming over to watch the boys for an hour and clean up the house before Daddy walks in the door from a long day's work.

Love is emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen when you quickly notice that Mom is too weak even to lift a plate.

Love is joyfully playing with three boys even when you're weary and they have been pulling you in three directions all day long.

Love is playing games over and over and over again with a three-year-old who adores you and won't let you leave his side.

Love is stopping everything you are doing to comfort that same three-year-old who is in tears because he couldn't find you and feared that you were gone.

Love is rushing around to get boys from school to therapy to school to therapy to lunch to naps every day for a week with energy and a cheerful countenance.

Love is selflessly serving those in need, showing them the same love that Jesus has shown to you.

(And, it's possible that as you love this family, you will find that a sweet three-year-old little boy has carved out a little spot for himself in your heart and wrapped you around his little finger. While the family you are serving will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done, you may just find it to be true that it is more blessed to give than to receive.)