How Much Do You Love?

I had a few big brother issues growing up. Typical things big brothers do. I will never forget the time he made little 4 year old Charisse get on the back of his bike with him. I begged not to ride along, but to no avail. Somehow within minutes, my small foot got caught in the spokes and I started crying hysterically. My brother stopped the bike in the middle of the street, laid it down with my ankle still tangled inside, and left me there. I couldn’t move, so I just cried. I’m not sure if a neighbor heard me or if someone just happened to finally look out their window and see me, but after what seemed like ages my dad came running out. When I got back in the house, my brother was in his room, oblivious to any wrong doing, playing with his GI Joes like nothing ever happened. I still have the scar on my ankle almost 50 years later. 
Perhaps I wouldn’t have that little scar if my brother had gone to my dad immediately. Maybe he didn’t think about it. He was just a kid. Maybe I squirmed and wriggled too much in my hysteria, wishing and hoping my brother had told my daddy. I do remember that I felt very alone and scared in that moment. 
There will be times in our loved ones lives where they feel very scared and alone. Times they will be in the middle of a situation that brings tears and maybe even hysteria. Times they desperately need to know that someone is going to their Father for them. Whether it’s our children or grandchildren, our parents or loved ones, our families or friends. Everyone needs prayer. Here’s the thing. We know we should be praying for them, but do we cry out for help until help comes, or do we just get so busy with our own lives that it never occurs to us throughout our day to bring our loved ones to Jesus? Do we offer up a quick daily prayer out of routine or do we run to our Father continuously on their behalf? How much do we really love them in comparison to the love we have for ourselves? We tend to be a selfish people. Sometimes even childish. It’s human nature. We “don’t have time” to spend with God, which in turn means we don’t have time to pray for others, and yet~ we find the time for the things we want to do. Without even realizing it we justify “our time” by telling ourselves we work so hard and we’re so busy that we deserve a little “me” time. All along our loved ones are crying in the middle of a mess and inwardly begging for help, but we are oblivious to the needs around us. We are selfish in stealing away moments we could be bringing others to the throne of God and asking for the love, help, guidance, peace and protection only He can give. 
Maybe today you are looking into the precious, innocent face of a newborn~ free of scars that come with time. The moment that child was conceived was the moment they needed prayer. Prayer for their “now” and prayer for their future. A scary world lies ahead of them. Maybe you are looking into the face of a parent, a spouse or a sibling and the scars you see are deep and lasting. They desperately need prayer to ease the pain they are feeling. I’m so thankful for the moments in my own life that I was inwardly hurting, thinking that no one noticed, but someone looked out the window of their heart and saw me there and called on my Heavenly Father to help me. 
Take some time today to put your own “GI Joes” down and talk to your Daddy. Realize the importance and run to your Father on your loved ones behalf. You might just be the one that can help prevent any scars or ease the pain of some that are already there. Time spent talking to the Savior won’t just change them, it will change you. The amount of love we have for others can be measured in the amount of time we bring them before the throne of our Almighty Maker. How much do you love?
I Thessalonians 5:17