"Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:28-31
I was struck reading this passage of Jesus' Great Commandment. Not only the daunting task of loving God, and loving our neighbors, but also the immediate understanding of the scribe Jesus spoke to. The scribe recognized that these instructions were greater than any burnt offering or sacrifice he could offer. What a revolution for the Jews, and how bold for him to believe so quickly. I pray to have faith like that.
So today, we loved. Well, we tried to. I think this might be the first "art" or "craft" I've done with Emma at home. The activity was to take Easter Lilies to neighbors to show them your love. I decided we could paint hearts with love to wrap around the lilies. So during nap time, I set up our station. And Emma loved staying in her PJs after nap--painting is dangerous with 2 year olds.
I don't have any pictures of the painting process. Mainly because I was too uncomfortable to put my eye behind the lens while Emma had such close access to paint. But the finished product is below.
Today, I'm not sure Emma "got it" as much as yesterday. I fear I haven't modeled love much for her. But forgiveness is real, and I can keep trying. I am, however, positive that Emma LOVES having her picture taken. She insisted on holding a lily and posing.
Most special (for me at least) today was delivering two of the lilies to two wonderful friends who threw me a "baby dinner." Delicious food, fabulous fellowship and some wonderfully generous gifts for me and No. 2. Grace and Kitty are dear and special people. I hope each of you have some of them in your lives. The Lord certainly had an interesting twist for me today. When I was so focused on teaching Emma (and learning myself) to love others, HE used some pretty special people to love me. Imagine what Glory will be like--to feel perfectly loved all the time! Thank you dear friends for your faithfulness and friendship. Thank You Jesus for your sacrifice!
Tomorrow: Jesus visits Mary and Martha after Lazarus' Death.
2 comments:
Thank you for being committed to teaching Emma love and Truth. I think you model it well.
AH! I love the photo play-by-play of how the lily that's gracing our kitchen came to be. Sweet Emma, and sweet Mama. Thanks for including us in Tuesday's teaching time. We love all FOUR of the Averys!!!
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