The Path of Love

My Mom’s birthday is coming up this Sunday, April 27^th.  I have been thinking about her a lot this week as she isn’t here to celebrate with, but in heaven.  Instead of thinking about what gift I could possibly give to her as I did for so many years, I’ve been thinking about the gifts she left with me.  My mom loved Jesus.  She loved Him, and she allowed Father God to shape her heart.  She travelled the path of love to the narrow gate.  What is the narrow path of love?  How do we walk it?  I believe that my mom modeled the answer to that for me – it is by allowing the heart of the Father to shape our heart and to see through His eyes, instead of resting on our own vision.

It is a Path of Love.  Loving the Father.  Loving those that Christ died for.  Loving ourselves because He loves us so.  Matthew 7 talks about the way that leads to life, and the verses that surround those set the stage for how to find that path to the narrow gate that leads there.

The chapter begins in talking about how we view others.  Jesus talks about not judging others when we haven’t even looked at the issues we are still dealing with.  When we realize the hurtful words we have spoken, the unforgiveness we allow to remain, the actions that displayed anything but love - how can we talk badly of others?  How can we decide that someone is no longer worthy of our love or friendship?  If we are looking at others through the loving eyes of Christ, how can we discount them or render them unworthy?  How much has Christ forgiven in us, and how can we not do the same?

My mom displayed this time and time again.  I would see people that she loved disappoint.  Yet, she made decisions not to say an unkind word.  She made decisions to speak well of, to continue to show love to, to reach out to people because they needed that love, and it is that love that led many to know Christ.

My Mom trusted the Father. 

• She trusted that He had good things for her, and in this she was able to rest in His love.
• She bore good fruits – even now I talk to people who recount the sincere impact she made on their lives just by accepting and loving on them. 
• Her trust rested in the strong foundation of Christ. 

The path of love is a difficult one to walk.  It is impossible if we attempt it in our own strength.  It is also the most rewarding.  When we allow ourselves to let go of our pride, our arrogance, our self-pity, and to rest in Christ’s love, we find the strength to walk that path in amazing peace and to choose to love again and again.  It is there, at that point of letting go, that we can fully embrace the peace and love that is available to us because we are allowing it to flow from us to others.

As I reflect on this I think about my own heart.  Is there anyone I need to ask for forgiveness?  Is there a relationship I have allowed to be broken due to unforgiveness?  Have I not extended mercy and love?  Am I allowing Christ to form a heart that walks that path of love?  As I pray, as I worship, as I spend time in His presence, I trust that He is forming my heart.  I also look at the examples set before me.  I honor the sacrifices they made and take to heart the road they travelled.  I anticipate seeing the face of the Father, and also the faces I love and miss so dearly that have travelled through that gate.  But for now, my heart is to walk a road of love until that time….  I love and miss you Mom!!!!  May my daughter see the heart that you displayed reflected in my life.