Equally My Favorite: Bring God’s Active Favor into Your Home
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9
Why Our Homes Need God’s Lavish Love and Favor
One of the best gift we can give our children and grandchildren, is the receiving and giving of God’s lavish love and active grace. God doesn’t show partiality or play “favorites” in a competitive way. He doesn’t elevate one of His children more than another- Because God’s love is infinte and unconditional, He somehow loves each of us as if we were His only child.
How well I remember the miracle of how my heart expanded with joy and love as every new child arrived. Love doesn’t divide- love multiplies. Each child became fully loved, cherished, and fully under our active favor. Yet, loving my family well requires that God, who is Love- daily fills me with His inexhaustible supply of love.
Equally my Favorite:- Showing Godly favor
We have a running “joke” around here. Every grandchild comes up to me with a huge smile and says, “Nana, I know I’m your favorite!” Or if we take pictures together they might say, “You’re taking pictures with your favorite grands, right?” I even go as far as to say, “I’m going to get each and everyone of you a shirt that says, ‘I’m Nana’s Favorite!’” They laugh and respond, “I knew it I was your favorite all along!”
When I hear my grands call me Nana, I literally feel little explosions of joy and love! #Nanablessings
I smile, nod and say emphatically, “Yes! YOU are my favorite ( insert name ) in the whole universe!” And I truly mean it. Each grandchild is so unique, fun, and awesome! They’re each my favorite for different reasons.
I never want to convey I love any of them ore or less- because that’s not the truth! And it’s not based on how much time they spend with me or what they do for me or the artwork they create or their wonderful hugs. It’s because when we’re together- there’s no place in the world I would rather be than with them!
Lavish Love is “Favor” in Action
Lavish love. I used to think “lavish” was an unecessary extravegance. I tend to feel guilty if I splurge on material things that aren’t really necessary. But the deep “love” connection with God and people are absolutley necessary to thrive! We could never overdo the kind of Lavish love God shows us. Through Jesus, God showed us His unconditional, unmerited grace toward ALL mankind. Active favor is simply lavish love made visible in our daily living.
A while back we were all gathered for a dinner or birthday or something-or-other- when suddenly, Noah, our oldest son- fixed his eyes on a wooden plaque I had on our fireplace. It said, “My favorite people call me Nana.”
He laughingly said, “Wait- Mom! What do you mean your favorite people call you Nana????? Your favorite people?????”
I caught on right away, and laughed and replied, “Well of course, my other favorite people call me Mom.”
We all laughed, but I made sure they knew I meant it! It’s possible because God has filled me with His lavish love, there is room in my heart for every single one of them to be my favorite.
The next day, I did a doubletake.😮 At the end of the phraseon the plaque- someone had penciled in the word, “Mom”. Right then, I knew I wanted to ensure my adult children, along with my daughters-in-loves and sons-in-loves, always know they hold first place in my heart, too. Just because they’re grown up doesn’t mean they don’t need to feel treasured, savored, and deeply loved.
A faint reminder to liberally show God’s lavish love and favor to my whole family- so they know without a doubt- they are favored and loved equally!
I actually got out my Bible and helps and did a deep dive on God’s love, God’s grace and God’s favor.
Active favor is God’s grace made visible in our daily life. Just like His love and grace, favor can’t be earned. It’s freely given and then, we choose to receive this gift from our good, Heavenly Father.
In Numbers 6, Aaron invokes a prayer over God’s people:
“The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
That phrase- “turn His face toward you” is also translated may “May the Lord show you His favor”….
His favor means He turns toward us with His full attention, choosing to value and celebrate us right where we are- not because we’ve earned it, but because we belong to Him! Somebody shout, “Glory to God!”
When I think about our God, and His unfathomable love for us, His grace and favor extended toward us, His committment to help us and transform us- I am overwhelmed. Surely our Heavenly Father calls us to reflect His lavish love and favor within our own families!
“Love and Favor” OR “Favoritism?”
Take inventory- ask yourself: “Am I playing favorites in my family?”
Human favoritism is destructive- but extending active favor to every relationship gives life, cements belonging, and restores broken connections. If you notice a barrier or empty place in a relationship, ask yourself “why”? Is it a personality clash or past hurt or feelings of rejection?
Ask our Father to heal that relationship in your mind and heart. Pray for Him to fill you with unconditional love you’ve received from Him so it can flow out to your spouse, children, grandchildren, sibling, and extended family. God’s love knows no boudnaries and our shouldnt either.
Heavenly Father,
Fill us with your inexhaustible love so we may love the way you love. Help us build the foundation of love and grace and godly favor in our families, so we can bless our future generations. In Jesus Name, Amen.