The stillness is now broken by footstep thuds early in the morning and late night giggles. Small sounds that had been absent in my everyday life.
Each day I find myself laughing more often, watching more Disney Junior than should be allowed, falling asleep in the early hours of the night, and loving more than the day before.
Why? Because of the two little girls living in the bedroom across from mine.
I’ve never in my life seen two sisters love and care so deeply for each other. The way one stops whatever she may be doing to ensure her sister is alright, the deep concern one has when the other is crying, and the way they get so excited to see each other when they’ve only been apart for a short period of time. It’s truly touching, often tear jerking, and always keeps me asking myself, “Why don’t you love like that more often?”
I’ve only been involved in these girl’s lives for about a month now. They say we (my family and I) are giving them the opportunity of a lifetime. They say this could change their lives forever. But I’m convinced they are changing mine.
I’ve never been more impacted by toddlers in all my years. The passion and excitement they have for life is inspiring. They enjoy the simple things and are enthused with the things I often overlook.
The other day, the oldest was playing dress up and pretending she was a princess. She has a bold personality and a wild imagination. She isn’t a bit timid to try something I would never think to do.
So she was putting on all the princess necessities when she discovered three similar, glitzy, floral headbands. She quickly came calling for assistance. She presented the glamorous head candy and said, “I want them on.”
Surprised by the fact she wanted to wear three headbands at once I questioned, “All of them?”
With confidence she replied, “Yep! All of them.”
Once I had assisted her with the request, and all the bling was strategically placed on her little head,she looked up at me and said, “There, all gone.”
I simply smiled as she strutted out of the room. But I was reminded of something similar my gracious Savior once said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
These are some of the last words spoken by love himself when he was slain for my filth, all of it. While I am the one deserving death because of my ugliness, Jesus did it for me and for you. He paid the price for our sins. The Bible says it this way, “He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus didn’t necessarily have to do that, but he chose to. He did it all in love. Because he loves you and he loves me a whole lot! With the greatest act of love mankind has ever seen, we are able to become righteous. So that we may dwell with Christ forever. That is, if we choose to do so.
Jesus didn’t die for just one person. Not for just one type of crime or wickedness either. He didn’t have only one individual or scenario in mind when he was on the cross. Nope, he thought of every single one of us, and each of our transgressions.
It’s hard to fathom, but I like to think he saw each of us while hanging on that tree and through all the pain smiled and said, “Yep! [For] all of them!”
This is love, and this is how Christ is teaching me to love others.