Our youngest grandson was born last year during the spring. For the past nine months, our daughter has struggled with sleepless nights. Not just the normal new-mama sleepless nights, but ongoing, chronic lack of sleep. Her little guy doesn’t seem to like sleep. Daytime, nighttime, it makes no difference. Sleep is a rare occurrence.
Because of her sleep deprivation, our daughter struggles with coping with some seemingly normal situations. (This is not a request for suggestions; believe me, she’s heard them all.) A lack of sleep can impair one’s judgment. It can seriously alter perception.
My wife regularly helps out, taking care of the little guy so his mother can get some sleep. Our daughter-in-law sometimes stops by and takes the little fellow — along with her own three, and number four on the way — so that her sister-in-heart can have some rest time.
It’s what family does. It’s what love does. Love helps. Love cares. Love supports. Love is tangible or it’s not really love.
Have you ever noticed how frequently the Bible refers to those in the Church as family and says that we’re to love one another?
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
What should that look like in the Church?
To Make You Think 
That really resonates with me right now. I’ve thought about love and talked about love for a long time. But this season of life has gripped me with the force , the action of love. Pretty words and well meant intentions aren’t enough. It comes down to sacrifice. Deep in the process of adoption I get that now more than ever.