I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately. That word puts many people off because of the way it is used, abused, and misunderstood. I have tried to put into words what love really means to me and it is not easy. I am not entirely sure I can do it.
As I was thinking about this word and its meaning recently, I thought about two specific instances where I told people that I loved them. Both times these people responded in an awkward way. They did not know how to accept or reciprocate this love. I discussed this with my cousin later and realized that I did not know how to accept this type of love until my Christian brother taught me by example.
The first time he told me he loved me I felt awkward as I imagine the people I told felt. But as he continued to tell me and show me by just being there no matter what, I learned what he meant by this love. It wasn’t some warped or distorted love. It wasn’t a perverted love either. It was just love.
I realized it is OK to use this word with people who are not biological family. I realized that as I do this I am sharing the love that God wants me to share – His love.
1 John 4:7 – Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God.
Let us love one another because love is from God. It is a gift He has given us. I will still find it difficult to say “I love you” to some people but I believe that God is teaching me that I must say it to them and show them by reflecting His love.
What do you think? Do you love people enough? Do you tell them? Do you show them?