by Martha June

Years ago when I was little, my parents coined a catch phrase.

Anytime they extended mercy instead of deserved punishment, surprised us kids, or helped us when we were struggling, they would slide this phrase into our conversations.

“It’s called love.”

As we grew older they would ask us to repeat the phrase back to them.

“What is that called?”

“Love!”

Looking back, I see this as an ingenious way to show kids what love looks like in the everyday.

Love was forgiveness, love was grace, love was thoughtfulness, love was faithfulness and helping someone when they needed it.

To this day, that phrase is still used frequently at my house.

It’s a phrase that reminds me of Jesus.

Throughout the pages of scripture we are reminded again and again about the importance of love. As well as how much we are loved by Jesus!

After many years of hearing “It’s called love, Martha!” I eventually just got used to it, and the phrase became a part of everyday life.

Don’t we do the same with the love of Christ?

It can be so easy to become accustomed to something that never changes.

Yet, there is such a beauty in that if we stop to think about it.

Because of what my parents said throughout my life, I no longer contemplated what their actions were motivated by. Their love was not going to change and I knew that.

While I know that is a very simple analogy, the love of Jesus is the same. (Check out Romans 8:38)

You are probably familiar with the verses in John 3:16-17.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”.

God so LOVED that he GAVE his son. God was motivated by love.

I think my parents tried to emphasize to my siblings and I that a heart should be motivated by the love of Jesus. When love is your motivator, you treat others like Christ treats them.

Now I do not want to sit here and portray to you that my parents never disciplined me.

They did. (We literally had a ‘Board of Education’, a paddle board hanging from our kitchen wall)

Love can also be calling someone out in kindness on their sin, and challenging then to grow.

Love takes on many roles.

All throughout scripture Jesus whispers love to his people.

When he showed mercy instead of judgement on that cross.

“But God show his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV)

When we are worried and anxious about the days to come.

“Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you–you of little faith.” Luke 12:27-28

And especially when we are struggling.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:17-18.

And that love also comes with responsibility: to love those around us.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Paraphrased, Jesus said, “Do what I do and prove you belong to me. It’s called love!”

That is just something I have been thinking about. How beautiful is the love of Jesus!

Martha