Proving Ones Worth (edited)

Our whole lives we have role models, people to look up to (positive or negative it doesn't matter), people to not only admire but we strive to be like them, but more so we strive to be affirmed by these people. For many of us it's our parents, brothers, sisters, a teacher, a mentor, a pastor, or a friend, and this is why I write because I myself am weary of seeking this affirmation.

Here’s a way to see my problem, to see my point. When a baby is born, parents are instantly in love with the child to the point of infatuation (in an ideal parenting model). Women and even men flock to newborns, solely on the basis of its existence. The lives of the parents of are instantly altered, yet they do nothing but love this child. What has this child done to deserve this abounding love by not only the child’s parent but the community? Absolutely nothing, under no condition other just by mere existence this child is loved, embraced, and nurtured. Unconditionally loved…

As this child grows up, it begins to crawl and is praised because it can crawl. It begins to talk and is praised. It walks and is praised. As the child goes through schooling if the child succeeds in the classroom, on a canvas, on the football field, in having the right friends, in being polite, in pointing their life towards success for the future; for these things a child is praised. And if a child does meet these expectations…sorry.

Slowly but surely parents as well as members of the community begin loving and praising the child for its achievements. Praise and a love were once given to the child abundantly at birth merely due to his or her existence no matter the dirty diapers.
The child becomes less and less loved, as merely being a child, but loved and judged based on what the child amounts to or does. Conditional has over taken Unconditional with children as a simple example.

Under what condition should love be given?

I don’t write this to bash parents. I am insanely guilty of this as well with peers and in stereotypes I make of others. I do write this to point out fault, but only so that WE can break the bonds of this paradigm we have created. A paradigm stating that love must be earned. I also write this to praise one who is unconditional, Jesus. It is his grace. Grace, not based upon what age we walk or talk. Grace, not based upon our grades, our friends, or our artistic ability. Grace, is not even based upon our selfishness or our sin. We are loved solely for who we are due to His grace. I am affirmed in His love, somehow worthy in His sight. For better or for worse in success or in failure, Jesus Loves… Unconditionally.