It's been said that the purpose of parenting is to raise functional adults who are able to care for themselves, preferably by the age of 18.
The goal is to love them, provide for them, teach them good values, be an example for them, support them, and to show them how to be parents themselves. Of course we want them to be happy, fulfilled, and important contributors to the healing and prosperity of the world as well.
A bonus would be to have them as friends.
As our heavenly parent, God is trying to do all these things for you and me: teach, instruct, prepare, love, and support - as well as help us be happy and fulfilled.
The bonus is that God wants us to be friends.
As we approach Mother's Day, this weekend, this pinnacle celebration of parenthood, we hear Jesus talk about this in John 15.
And once again we are overcome with the depth of God's love as someone who is not simply interested in raising functional children, but who deeply desires our friendship.
This is the character of God.
This is how God made us.
This is how loved we are.
So how do we pay it forward?
How do we love not just out of command or commitment, but out of the genuine affection God has for us?
See you Sunday.
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