Love Them As Is

It's confession time again.

I hate to admit it, but I struggle with control.  

My organizational and management skills are assets for problem-solving, managing projects, or planning vacations. I mean, I don't want to brag, but I can make a pretty amazing spreadsheet. 

But, once I start using my Chief Controlling Officer skills to control the people around me, those assets become annoyances and barriers with those I love.

Is it so wrong that I want everyone to be perfect and to do precisely what I want them to do, when I want them to do it, with no questions asked?

Is it also wrong that if they do not do as I command, I get to scheme, worry, and manipulate until my demands are met?

Come on, isn't that how God loves us?

Wait, what? It's not?

Oh, that’s right, God loves us, just as we are. 

God's goal is not to control us into submission. He isn't taunting us with if-then promises of love. He simply loves us without condition or expectation.

With that unconditional love, we have free will to move about the cabin of life as we fail, disobey, and begin again.  

I feel so cherished knowing that He loves me, just as I am, warts and all. 

And wouldn't I want the people I care for to feel the same way I do?  

Of course, I would!

What would happen if I relinquish my control and love them "as is"?  

What if I can loosen my grip, step down from my Chief Controlling Officer position, and love them with no condition or expectation?  

I’ll tell you what will happen. They will feel cherished, knowing they are loved "as is." 

And wouldn't that be wonderful?

God loves you, and so do I!

Psalms 46:10

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

Jude 1:2

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Ephesians 2: 8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:34 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.