“You Get to Choose” by Guest Writer: Michelle Flaningan

I was a precocious three year old who pushed my baby brother off the bed resulting in a trip to the emergency room. She chose to love me.

Then I became a feisty teenager who talked back, told her lies and rolled my eyes at everything she asked me to do. She chose to love me.

In college I learned about the world around me, met new people with different views and developed a know-it-all attitude about life. She chose to love me.

I got married, moved across the country and couldn’t even cook chicken without a phone call to her. Still, she chose to love me (and help me with the chicken).

I began to have children of my own and oh, how I needed her advice and help (we had twins!). She chose to love me.

She chose to adopt me into her heart and her home when she had more questions than answers. She chose to love me when she didn’t know where I came from or if there was a chance I would grow up to amount to anything.

MICHELLE FLANIGAN

My mother chose the daily sacrifice of setting her own needs aside to care for her children. A mother’s love is so many things, but to this mom, a mother’s love means choice.

We have so many choices before us in life. So, why would anyone choose to become a mother? Why would one go through the toil of pregnancy, childbirth and then the daily demands of raising little ones?

Why would anyone choose to adopt children when she couldn’t bear her own and then daily make the choice to love them and raise them?

Why would anyone do such a thing?

Because Jesus loved her first.

 

“we love because he first loved us.” John 4:19 CSB

The Apostle John goes on to describe what that love looks like.

“If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”  John 4:20. CSB

If you are a believer in Jesus and have accepted his gift of eternal life, then you may know this verse well. I used to glaze over this verse, never really thinking much about it. But when I think about the way my mother chose to love me and the love others have freely given to me, I realize that it’s because of Christ in them that they choose.

Maybe your mother didn’t choose to love you in the way you needed. Friend, I am so sorry. The good news? You get to choose what you do with your love. You get to choose whether or not you will accept the love Jesus has for you and in turn, choose to love your children. You can make the daily choice to care for them, love them and help them through whatever life brings their way.

You get to choose.

Michelle has been married to her husband  Dave for over 25 years and believes wives and mothers have a pivotal role in the family and that our own personal relationship with Jesus can impact the lives of our family members.  Michelle and her family reside in central Ohio. Her favorite season is Spring and she enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking, camping and being in nature. She loves to read, bake, and chat about life over a cup of coffee. You can meet Michelle at her website: https://michelleflaningan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope.forthejourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flanomom/

We thank you, Michelle, for your contribution to this month’s publication of Titus-two.com, talking about A Mother’s Love.

You are loved to Heaven and Back ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary