Get Too Attached
On this Stand Sunday, I’m reminded of a question people often asked us when we chose to be foster parents. “Don’t you get too attached? Isn’t it hard to let go?” This common question led me to ask myself “What is TOO attached?”
The only place I know to look is the life of Jesus for the answer to this question. When I look at His life and each of His interactions, I see Him give away love fully, no holding back, without self-protection as He was incredibly present with people. He wasn’t worried about what loving people might cost Him in the future.
My answer to the well-meaning question is “Yes. I got very, very attached to each child that entered my home.” But I do not think it’s possible to be “too” attached to the people that God, in His providence, brings into our lives. The risk of loving people is sometimes very great! It can be sad and full of grief to love people. But I would argue you have nothing to lose if you are in Christ. You have an anchoring Hope and a steadfast, mighty Savior who promises to be with you in all He has called you to. And, He has called you to love your neighbors, those in need, those like you and those with nothing in common, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. So, give away love like you are made of it! If you are in Christ, you have it residing in your very soul.
What does getting attached to people look like? It means getting to know the person scanning your groceries on a weekly basis. It means learning to say hello in someone’s heart language, even if you may never use the word again. Personally, the world of Foster Care provided a place for us to give away love and food and time and rooms in our house, of course! But just as importantly, it gave us a place to love on social workers, recruiters, birth mamas, doctors, etc.
In our family, we have a motto: Live Sent, Die Spent. Where in your life can you go looking to give love away lavishly?
The only place I know to look is the life of Jesus for the answer to this question. When I look at His life and each of His interactions, I see Him give away love fully, no holding back, without self-protection as He was incredibly present with people. He wasn’t worried about what loving people might cost Him in the future.
My answer to the well-meaning question is “Yes. I got very, very attached to each child that entered my home.” But I do not think it’s possible to be “too” attached to the people that God, in His providence, brings into our lives. The risk of loving people is sometimes very great! It can be sad and full of grief to love people. But I would argue you have nothing to lose if you are in Christ. You have an anchoring Hope and a steadfast, mighty Savior who promises to be with you in all He has called you to. And, He has called you to love your neighbors, those in need, those like you and those with nothing in common, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. So, give away love like you are made of it! If you are in Christ, you have it residing in your very soul.
What does getting attached to people look like? It means getting to know the person scanning your groceries on a weekly basis. It means learning to say hello in someone’s heart language, even if you may never use the word again. Personally, the world of Foster Care provided a place for us to give away love and food and time and rooms in our house, of course! But just as importantly, it gave us a place to love on social workers, recruiters, birth mamas, doctors, etc.
In our family, we have a motto: Live Sent, Die Spent. Where in your life can you go looking to give love away lavishly?
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