I don't think that I truly understood how deep God's love for me is until I became a parent. Parental love is unconditional, infinite and sacrificial. All I want is for my son to be happy, healthy and God-loving. His smile melts my heart and heals my soul. His worth is beyond anything in this world. He is God's precious gift to me. I would give up my own needs to give him the world. But I realize that it is not the wordly possessions that will make him happy, it is me...my presence in his life, my love and encouragement, our time together. In my heart, I hope that he will love me back but I won't demand it. I give because to me, he deserves my best.

I know that discipline is also a part of love. It will be very difficult on me. It will break my heart. But I know that I need to set boundaries so that he doesn't hurt himself. I cannot always protect him from the sorrow life brings, even though I desperately want to. He will need to go through personal trials to become strong and to have compassion. He must learn to turn to God in his suffering. Of course I will stand behind him to hold him when he falls. He might not see me, but he can trust that I'll be there waiting. I love him so much that I would trade my life for his.

How much does God love us, that He gave His "Graydon" to me? He had to turn His back and forsake Jesus to suffer the most painful way of dying. He loves me as His own son/daughter. As the perfect parent, He gives me Himself. He teaches and disciplines me. He is there to comfort me when I go through trials. He thinks I am worth it. How do I choose to love Him back?