A Christlike, Spirit-filled and fueled love is one that embraces the other fully - but also offers myself fully - mess and all. It’s one that seeks to go to the cross together because we both need it terribly. It’s one that acknowledges a DESPERATE need for the Lord’s intervention to love and serve others well.

Take a moment and think about your children and their relentless questions. How they cling to you without any pretense. Now think about the verse above and Jesus’ response in Mark 10. What does this communicate about what Jesus wants from YOU when you come to him?

He can handle my desperation. He’s not afraid of the mess I made or the mess I’m in. And once I face it, I actually see Him waiting in it for me.

I can only hope that the truth from this book will seep into her heart deeper than any poor parenting tactics I will try throughout the years. I hope that she and I will both experience this beautiful grace as we live and grow together.