1 Corinthians 13:4-13
"Love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.For now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Love is something that many take for granted. Also, many do not understand or able to put into practice correctly. We learn to love from watching others. The environment we grow up in often is the teacher for how we practice. Some grew up in homes where their parents were the perfect example of love (if there is one). Others grew up in homes where love was not shown in many ways but talked about. It's hard to put into practice what we are told, but much easier to do when it is showed.
We are all products of the environment that we were raised in. There is a specific family who will go unamed, who recently approached my wife and asked her not to let our daughter hug their five year old girl, or tell her she loves her. This parent said they do not show affection to their kids nor to eachother in front of their children. They have a six month old baby boy and I have never seen them give him kisses or hug him as most would be doing. I never realized it until my wife told me of the converstation. This parent said that their kids will only get those things from their spouce.
Now, I am not one to judge but since finding this out I see why it is hard for these kids to make friends and even communicate with other kids on a level that draws young people to them. They do not play normal and showing affection is foreign to them as they get none shown to them in the home.
I am however a firm believer that whle your environment can teach you how not to implement correct love and show it in a way that will make anyone feel appreciated, one can change when they see they have not been taught right. I am, for a better word, a tradition braker. While my parents were loving toward us they rarely showed affection to each other which is something children need to see to learn. My pops was not huggy and I only remember him telling me "I love you," twice growing up (until I got into College). My momma did a good job of hugging us and telling us she loved us. So I had half of the example. But after I got married I saw first hand that while I hated not seeing it and vowed I woudl be different, I became for years what I dispised. Sometimes I showed little affection without knowing it. It was not second nature to me.
Now of course it's a different story. I can't wait to love on my wife and kids. I did good all along about showing love to my two beautiful girls but left my wife "out in the cold" often times without realizing it. It took me almost seven years to realize what I was doing. When I did, I was ashamed and hearbroken. I now don't need to make an effort to show her love and effection. It just happens. It has become second nature.
Love is a very powerful gift. The love we are suppose to show and do show are often two completely different things. I think it's time we, as they say, "be the change we want to see."
Blessings,
Mike III AKA Big Daddy
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