Redeemed

Child.  This word speaks to me of vulnerability.  A blank slate.  A new start.  My brother-in-law and his wife are expecting their first child.  There is an audible buzz of excitement over the soon coming arrival of this child.  I am thrilled to have a front row seat to this chapter of their lives.  I know they (with God's guidance) will be excellent parents.
But, what about the kiddos who need a home? What about the under cared for ones?  What about the ones that don't know proper love? 
I call it untrained love.  You've seen it in the hollow eyes of children you've seen in your Sunday school rooms, the grocery store, or the park.  While we grasp the hands of our darlings what about the others?  Sometimes we get a chance to reach beyond the cracked and tattered exterior and attempt to touch the cold hearts of these lost children. 
What will their response be?  I call it King Louie syndrome.  Love is risky business.  When we attempt to love as Jesus loves us the result is not guaranteed.  This is because each person makes his/her own choices.  So, sometimes the response of "untrained" love is a bit of a spoiled nature.  This must compel us to work hard to love anyway (after all it is not all about us).  I know about wanting to give up on loving.  But, then I think about redemption.  We are greatly loved.  We must pass the love we were freely given on to others.  Jesus loved us when we were so very cracked and tattered.  He does not give up. In fact, He gave the ultimate sacrifice of love. 
For shame to me should I strive to do less.  My prayer is that Jesus would help me to love all who walk across the threshold of our home and church ant etc. I am wanting to live with an attitude of redemption.