3 Ways Parenthood Reflects God’s Love

It is my son’s second Christmas with us. Right now, he is starting to appreciate and understand things. Most importantly, he can now interact and relate with people. Prior to the exact date of Christmas, he began receiving gifts from family and friends. It made me feel extra grateful and joyful because they first loved me, then my husband (and vice versa), and now it is being extended to my child. I felt that my husband and I were not just receiving gifts from them for my son, but we were also receiving the love and thoughtfulness behind their gifts.

I feel the same gratitude and joy when I think about the true reason of Christmas — Jesus. He is the ultimate gift of God the Father to mankind. Receiving Jesus means receiving God’s great love.

Just thinking about how much God loves me feels like I’m having butterflies in my stomach. I appreciate it more when I become a parent. Fr. Dave Concepcion was right when he said in one of his sermons, “experience will help you understand”.

I have loved my son  from the moment God put marriage and family into my heart. That love was multiplied when I saw two vertical pink lines in the pregnancy kit. Love kept on multiplying when I heard his heartbeat, started to kick in my tummy, heard his first cry, and saw his first smile. I know that my love for him will continue to grow as I continue with my parenting journey.

If this is the kind of love that I have for my son, what more to God who already had me in mind even before putting me in my mother’s womb? What more to God who knows how many hair strands I have? What more to God who sacrificed His only Son to save and redeem His children including me?

Because of this, I came up with three ways parenthood reflects God’s love:

Like God’s, a parent’s love is unconditional.

There will be no reason that will make me love my son less. I love him yesterday, I love him today, and I will continue to love him whatever he does and whatever path he takes.

Like God’s, a parent’s love is sacrificial.

I was at the peak of my career, earning more than I needed, and then I became a mom and chose to stay at home to take care of my young family.

Like God’s, a parent’s love is enduring.

I know that time will come when my son will no longer cry when I go to the comfort room, but I know I will always be there when he needs me.

Before being a parent, I was a daughter. I know that God gazes through my face the same way I gazes through the face of my son. God laughs with me the same way I laugh with my son. He cries when I cry. Everytime I win a battle, I know he’s the number one person who is proud and celebrates with me. My love for my son indeed reminds me of God’s love for me. It never ceases. It just continues to grow.

This Christmas, parent or not. May we be reminded that God loves us. St. Augustine said that our hearts will continue to be restless until we rest in Him.