Make Me Proud!

Do you know what makes your parents proud?

Growing up, whenever my siblings or I scored 90% or higher on a school test or paper, my parents would hang the score on the wall above our dining table to celebrate our success and encourage us to get good grades.

I knew my parents loved me regardless of my grades, but I would go the extra mile to make them proud.

Children are wired to want to please their parents, but some parents use this power, intentionally or unintentionally, to control their child’s behavior. Phrases like “If you do that, mommy would be really sad” or “Make me proud, son” convey that love can be earned or lost.

But God’s love is different.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. – Lamentations 3:22 NLT

Unlike human love—which, even at its best, has limits—God’s love is truly unconditional.

If you were raised by a particularly demanding father, it might be hard to believe that kind of love exists and even harder to receive it.

How do you respond when God says, “I love you no matter what”?

Can you receive it, or do you feel the instant need to do something to earn or be worthy of that love?

People might love us most when we’re at our best, but God loves us equally, even at our worst.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8 NLT

If a demanding father left a mark on your life, you’re not alone. Acknowledge it, forgive your earthly dad, and go on to step boldly into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father.

Hey! You are a Chamatkar

Jenny Mendes