Day 1

August 7

Lindsey Jackman

John 15:12-13 NIV

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

As I read this passage and began to pray about what it means to love each other as Jesus has loved us and the great love of laying down one’s life for one’s friends, I think of the powerful friendships I have known; people who have sacrificed their time, talent and treasures to echo Jesus’ love in my life. Without hesitation they’ve followed this command and laid down the wants and needs of their own lives to show God’s love to me. 

I had a great need for this love when I became a new mom. I began to isolate myself as I struggled to manage the sleep deprivation, feeding schedule and the stress and anxiety of caring for my precious newborn. But God was with me and answered my prayers! I was introduced to the MOPs (Moms of Preschoolers) group at church and immediately found connection. I found other moms who were struggling like me and could relate to and rationalize all of my experiences, but I also found mothers who were farther along in their journey and could love on us as they had been loved when they were brand new moms. 

They showed God’s love to us, as it had been shown to them. They laid down their time to give hope to us. Now as a mother (slightly) farther along in my journey, I know the importance of being part of a community where we love each other as God has loved us and I pray others can feel God’s love through me.

Our God is loving! He wants us to be connected with Him and with each other. God wants us to be surrounded with the support and encouragement. He desires you to have a joyful purposeful life!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, we thank you for your truth, and we thank you for your never-failing love. Help us remember to lay down our lives for one another is not necessarily one grand act, but acts done daily that glorify you, Lord. Help us to live like you and for you and guide our hearts to love each other as you have love us, Lord. We trust you. We love you and we praise you!

Amen.