A Better Definition of Love
by Pam Richards Watts
“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that
you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the
fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 (NCV)
I once heard a parent assure an anxious mother-to-be, “We don’t just
love our children—we fall in love with them.”
When my children were born, I fell hard. I was besotted, like some
Victorian romance heroine. I was intoxicated by their fragrance,
enraptured by the feel of them in my arms. I couldn’t resist stroking
those downy heads, kissing those tiny feet. Such love for them
consumed me. While childbirth was challenging, loving my children was
effortless.
I always assumed such passion came naturally with the baby. As an
adopted child surrounded by love, I also knew it did not depend on
biology. My mother was one who “never forgot for a single minute, I
didn’t grow under her heart, but in it.” Mother-love was a given.
With these assurances in mind, my husband and I decided to pursue an
international adoption. Laboring with documents, home visits, and
other challenges, I endured my paper pregnancy with eager
anticipation. I knew my efforts would be rewarded in the end.
Finally the big moment arrived. I landed in China, entered the hotel
and went forward to meet my child. The setting was beautiful and
perfect; my daughter, even more so. However, something was wrong—and
it was with me. Where was my excitement? My happy tears? Those first
moments with my child felt like a strangely awkward blind date.
Still, I did my best to mother her, trusting action to trigger
emotion. But all I felt was a growing sense of panic. Could I be a
decent mom while deficient in mother-love? Bewildered and terrified, I
begged God to remove my doubts and fears. It took every ounce of faith
I had to get us both back on the plane.
Surrounded by family and friends, I felt emptier than ever. If
anything, their enthusiastic welcome only made me more miserable. I
was frightened, angry and ashamed. Why would God give me a child to
love, but deny the love itself? He had failed me; I was failing my
child.
As months passed, I continued to act like a mother—but feel like an
imposter. A year later I was still pleading with God to give me the
love I was missing.
The love I needed.
The love I deserved.
His response shocked me.
“You don’t need more love—you just need to stop measuring the wrong
kind.”
What?
“Pam, you are waiting on the love you want—that makes you feel good. I
never promised that. I called you to love her in the way that blesses
her and honors me—and you are doing that already.”
I had it all wrong. The problem was not my daughter, or me, or even
God—but my limited definition of love. To deepen love, I needed to
broaden my understanding of it.
God commands us to agapeo love. Such love is defined as “the active
love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people
are to have for God, each other and even enemies.”
God’s love is emotion in action. A noun and a verb. In order to be
fully felt, it must be fully lived.
I had always known an effortless love—the kind that asked simply to be
enjoyed. But God offered something more precious and more costly. When
he gave me this child, he gave me an opportunity to love as he did.
By God’s definition, my love for my daughter wasn’t lacking in any
way. In fact, it was more than enough.
Enough to leave my family behind and fly halfway around the world to
get her.
Enough to push past fear, get on the plane and bring her home.
Enough to stand before the judge on adoption day and promise to be her
family forever.
I had loved my daughter all along—with every kiss, every hug, every
tender word. There was never a moment I didn’t love her. As I continue
to love her with God’s love, I know there never will be.
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved
you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends.” John 15:12-13 (NLT)
Read more from Pam at www.pamrichardswatts.com
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