Loved Already, Accepted Already
Helping Others See They Too Are Already Loved, Already Accepted by God
It’s one thing to realize we are already loved, already accepted by God. It’s a powerful truth. Honestly, we’ll probably spend all our days trying to get our minds around that simple yet profound truth.
But we can’t stop there. Here’s why…
Leah Paske is the mother of a middle school son in Tallahassee, Florida. On August 30, 2016, she posted this on her Facebook wall…
Leah Paske
August 30 · Edited ·
Several times lately I have tried to remember my time in middle school, did I like all my teachers, do I even remember them? Did I have many friends? Did I sit with anyone at lunch? Just how mean were kids really? I remember one kid on the bus called me “Tammy Fay Baker” bc I started awkwardly wearing eye liner in the sixth grade, I remember being tough and calling him a silly name back, but when he couldn’t see me anymore I cried. I do remember middle school being scary, and hard. Now that I have a child starting middle school, I have feelings of anxiety for him, and they can be overwhelming if I let them. Sometimes I’m grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him. He doesn’t seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn’t seem to notice that he doesn’t get invited to birthday parties anymore. And he doesn’t seem to mind if he eats lunch alone. It’s one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today? Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it’s nobody. Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He is a super sweet child, who always has a smile and hug for everyone he meets. A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption “Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son” I replied “who is that?” He said “FSU football player”, then I had tears streaming down my face. Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my son’s school today. I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten. This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life! #travisrudolph #gonoles #FSU #autismmom#fansforlife
— with Florida State Seminoles Football.
Here is why this message is so important for you & me:
Since we are already loved, already accepted by God… we can show others what life in Christ looks like when we love & accept them the way Christ has loved & accepted us.
We can communicate, we can demonstrate to people that they too are already loved & already accepted by God!
Did you catch that? It’s a powerful truth. This is the power of the love of Christ in me & you. We live in a world that loves to put others down, that loves to reject others at every opportunity. So what happens when we go out into this community, into our neighborhoods, into our circles of influence & we love people the way Christ loves them? It’s shocking. Jaw dropping. Powerful love.
So here’s the challenge for me & you. As a people belonging to God, let’s live from acceptance & not for acceptance. Then, let’s show others what that kind of love looks like. Let’s take away the fear that others may have of being rejected by us. Let’s love others the way Christ loves us. Let’s be in the manifest presence of the love of God to our spouses, our children, our neighbors, our friends, our community, everyone! Let’s show others that they don’t have to fear rejection because they too are already loved & accepted by God!
I serve as the Co-Senior Minister at First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land, TX. I enjoy sports, running, fishing & life with the family. I’ve been in ministry since 1999. My wife Alisha & I have three amazing children, Will, Ella Grace & Emma Love. Thank you for stopping by my website!
