It is amazing to what extent mothers will go to protect and provide for their children. In my (Korean) culture, mothers won’t hesitate to take the blame for their children’s crimes. They’d rather go to jail and even be executed if it would mean that their child will be spared. And as a parent who grew up in that culture, I feel the same way about my own children. And it’s an idol that I have to fight and ask God to release me from…

But rather than focusing on the evil of that idolatry, I want to focus on the good of it. Why is there such strong attachment to my children, so much so that I’d give up everything else for them? Why do I shed tears even at the thought of any harm coming to them? Why do I work so hard to make sure they will be provided for and that they won’t lack anything at least compared to their immediate peers?

I believe God made me that way, and every other parent who feels the same about their own children. Why? So that we can know how God cares and loves us! So that we can begin to comprehend not just intellectually but emotionally all that joy and tenderness He feels for His Son and for us who have become His children through His natural Son.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Jesus is lamenting over his rebellious children. And soon He would be crushed under the collapsing roof so that He can protect the chicks under His wings! And yet, how many of us still rebel against Him and still do not see His love for us…!

Did you have a loving parent? Sacrificial? Self-giving? He/she was simply showing a glimpse of what our heavenly Father is like. Worship Him! Love Him!

PH