One of the greatest ways to learn about faith is to become a parent.

I know that might sound strange, but, for me at least, it’s the truth. I have learned so much about faith by being a mom.

One of the major aspects of faith that parenting has affected is my understanding of love.

What My Kids Taught Me About Faith, Part 4:

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in the English language.

We mistakenly assume love is a feeling…some gush of emotion we experience when that special someone walks into the room or smiles at us.

When we think of love, we picture flowers, romance, and adventures that leave us gasping for breath.

Blame it on the American culture or the media if you wish, but I think there’s one culprit we tend to ignore: ourselves.

After all, we’re the ones who buy into the lie.

We’re the ones who allow ourselves to develop unrealistic expectations about love.

When Jesus told his followers to become like little children in Mark 10, I think one of the characteristics he wanted us to emulate was their love.

Children don’t love like adults. Their love is more pure, unaffected by the actions of those around them.

Allow me to explain.

I’m a stay-at-home mom. Many days, I love my twenty-four-hour-a-day job.

Occasionally, though, (and, if I’m being honest, sometimes more than occasionally) I don’t love it.

I lose my temper from time to time and struggle with patience. I get upset about things that really shouldn’t be very big deals.

If I were my kids, and was treated the way that I sometimes treat them, I don’t know that I would forgive as easily as they do.

When people hurt me, I struggle to let go of the hurt. My kids don’t do that. 

They don’t give a cold shoulder to make sure the offense isn’t forgotten. They don’t hold a grudge or use the silent treatment.

No. They love.

Five minutes after an offense occurs, they crawl back onto my lap and tell me they love me.

I might not deserve their love, but they give it freely. 

Isn’t that what true love is—undeserved affection?

True love isn’t based on feelings. It’s unconditional.

My kids love me even when I don’t deserve it.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve written about three other reasons Jesus told us adults to become like children: transparency, trust, and forgiveness.

But I think this one is the most important of all.

After all, “Whoever does not love does not know God” (1 John 4:8).

Maybe that’s why kids are so great at loving; they know God better than we do.