Carrying Love’s Cross

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” // Matthew 10:37–38 

“Please change before going out. Your clothing communicates something. Others judge you by what you wear.” No matter how many times I gave advice, my son’s rejection of my attempts to guide him felt like a rejection of my love for him.

We’re sometimes blind to the ways our grasping love robs our most cherished relationships of life and joy, but when we put Him first, Christ heals our blindness. Then we see our impoverished love for what it is: wanting what we want and wanting others to be who and what we want them to be. Our desire to love on our own terms becomes our cross. 

If we refuse to embrace the cross of dying to our own desires, our family relationships weaken. Members turn in on themselves, forgetting their dignity and worth. But when we embrace Christ’s rightful claim on our love, Love Himself renews us. Trust Me, He beckons. Trust what I’m doing in all those you love. Come with Me and die to your own ideas about what is best for you and your loved ones. 

How can we refuse Christ’s invitation? Although the weight of the cross threatens to crush us, we hear Him whisper, Let’s do this together. He weeps with us, watches through sleepless nights with us, prays with us, remains with us (see John 15:9–11). 

My sister, we can embrace the cross of offering our family to Him—yes, even joyfully—because death isn’t the end! We will rise with Him!

Today ask God to help you clearly see your own impoverished love, to strengthen you as you embrace your cross, and to fill you with His self-donating love. 

Jesus, I love You most. I’m sorry for trying to love without You. I want to die to myself and live with You. I entrust all my loved ones to You. Amen.

Lani Bogart was born in Hawaii and grew up in Ohio and Michigan. She was a small child when she first loved Jesus. Married to a woodworker Deacon, she enjoys his skilled work and delights in her children and grandchildren. Her perfect day involves singing softly while holding a sleeping baby, dancing, or loudly singing while cooking in her own kitchen.