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"Practicing Unconditional Love "
 Recently one of our teenagers told me that she had gotten mad at a peer and took most of it out verbally on her staff. She was heading to her room, ready to strike out at another peer, when she glanced out the window and caught a glimpse of the sky. Looking at the sunshine and blue sky she prayed, "God help me." She was surprised that immediately she de-escalated and said it was unusual for her to calm down so quickly.
This example reminds me again of the importance of both God's unconditional love and ours. It's important young people to know that they can turn to God even in their foulest moods, and God stands ready to respond. It's also important that we keep loving them when they are not at all easy to love, because it makes more of an impact that we often realize.
One of the greatest strengths of Cunningham Children's Home is that every employee, whether they are in housekeeping, a teacher, or a direct care staff, practices unconditional love every day. When I speak about this with outside grouops, people are amazed at this approach, and I sense they are more committed to practicing it in their own lives when they hear about our staff doing it in theirs. It's not just good for kids, it's a good example for each of us to set for the world.
Keep on loving!
Chaplain's Message Archives
(December 2006) God is With Us
(November 2005) Honk if you Care About Kids
(October 2005) Generosity is Good for Your Health
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