Unconditional

Unconditional as defined by dictionary.com means: not limited by conditions; absolute. As a human, at least for me, uncondtional is a hard concept to accept. Limitless. Nothing can stop it. How many things in life can we honestly say we do unconditionally? Can you think of any? Loving my son and my family are quite possibly the only two things I think even come close. And there are days that would even appear questionable, at least to others. What about our love for Jesus? Is it unconditional, limitless? I know the church answer is yes. But let's face it, life happens and He is the author of our life. Some things are just hard to accept.

What about when He doesn't answer that prayer you've been praying for a year, 5 years, or 10 years, the way you wanted Him to?

What about when He calls a loved one home when we would deem it too early?

Or maybe when a child dear to us is diagnosed and suffering from cancer or one of many other devastating diseases?

How about when you are jobless, or childless, or without a spouse, or maybe homeless for far too long?

In those very moments is our love unconditional? Quite possibly we didn't actually stop loving God altogether but we may have told Him we've reached our limit. We may have told Him we can't/won't take anymore. For most Christians I believe as we continue to seek God, in these and other heart wrenching circumstances, we begin to see how He plans to use us. Only then are able to hopefully let go of the conditions and limits we may have put on our love during those times.

The most amazing truth I know is that God loves me (and you!) unconditionally. Even though, in my mind, I have disappointed Him countless times. How many times have I decided to do things my way and ask Him about it later? Guess what, He still loves me! Still has plans for me, still uses me and continues to mold me more like Him everyday.

I recently watched the movie "Unconditional" and would highly recommend it to anyone-but be warned, you will need kleenex. Maybe this movie spoke to me because I am a mom raising a boy without a father, but I don't think that's why. There are other storylines in this film and all relate to loving unconditionally, and they all brought me to tears. One of the main characters of the film, which is based on the true story of Papa Joe Bradford's life, shows love to children who are being brought up in circumstances they never asked to be brought into. Circumstances such as poverty, hunger, violence, fatherless children, some motherless as well, are adressed in the film and are realities of so many children everyday. Papa Joe takes children from his community in and cares for them as his own. But you learn he didn't get to this place without first going through his own set of difficult circumstances. Struggling with his own need for someone to love him unconditionally. And then there is Sam, who once was able to love unconditionally but through her own life circumstances, far beyond her control, seems to have lost the ability to do so.

One of my favorite lines in the movie is "It's not a dead end if it leads you some place you need to be". How many times have I felt I failed, or felt I took a wrong turn and got nowhere?  Maybe I should look around and make sure I'm not actually exactly where God intended me to be. What dead ends or seemingly hopeless situations could God bring us to, to teach us more about his unconditional love. I believe only once we truly know this, have experienced this limitless love for ourselves, can we give this love to others.

Lord,
Thank you for loving me unconditionally. As I experience this limitless love you so willingly pour on me, help me unconditionally love those around me. Lord remind me when I am frustrated or disappointed that you are always there. Remind me that you work together all things for your good. Remind me as I try to put limits on you that your yoke is truly easy and you will make the burden light (Matt 11:28-30). You have always and will continue to walk through every difficult situation right by my side. Thank you!
Amen