I was walking one cold January morning, the winter of your Junior year and we, your dad and I, were on the front end of really coming to grasp with the fact of within 19 months (but who is counting?) you would be packing your room and pulling out of the driveway to embark on a life of college independence. Beginning the next season of life.
I was overwhelmed. Flooded with emotions of great joy, excitement, sadness, grief, thrill, loss. Every single emotion I had felt for 17 years came rushing in on my heart as I pushed my way up a steep incline of broken sidewalk and piercing cold air.
But the loudest emotion, the one that overcame them all was great LOVE for you. Agape and deep. To my bone pride for the man you have become and larger-than-life gratitude for the privilege of raising you.
In that moment, I remembered the baptism of Jesus. Although Jesus was older, He, too, embarking on a new season of His life. Ministry.
Yes, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, “a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'” Matthew 3:17. I want you to hear something today. Something very important.
Jesus had not done a thing. Not one miracle. Not one sermon on the mount. He had not raised a dead man, turned one temple table or bore one lash on his back.
He had not done a thing. Not one grade on a final. Not one accolade in his program. He had not raised a B to an A, turned in one paper or flipped a tassel across a cap at graduation.
But God was so proud of Jesus. So please with Him. He loved Him so much.
Because “This was His son.”
I want you to hear this before you go. There is no grade, accolade, GPA, or achievement that can make me love you more or love you less. I am so proud of you. So pleased with you. I love you so much.
Because you are my son.
Leave knowing that you don’t have to prove a thing to us or to God. And especially not to man.
God loves you and so do we, just because you are HIS son. And you are ours, too.
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us… Just because you love us. I pray today we know deep down in our hearts that you approve of us. Let us live confident of this truth and grow more in the knowledge of your great AGAPE love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Get in the Word: Read Matthew 3:13-17
Becky Crenshaw 
Love this series. Thanks for sending. Brings a lump and a tear. I think it is the knowledge of what you are giving Grant but also that I too am so loved. Love the conceptOf agape.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
Ok this is amazing! Such a great word!