In my last post I mentioned that we had recently attended a week-long family conference through our church. One of most challenging sessions for me was on the subject of love. Of course I love my family, but do I love them?
Love says ‘no’ to what I want, so that I can say ‘yes’ to what you need. -Stephen Kendrick
A few days after that session, I was enjoying a rare moment of quiet. My oldest was upstairs playing quietly and the youngest was napping. I’d just settled in to read a for a bit when my middle son was at my side with a handful of little Lego men…
Then he started talking. “This character did such and such, and look Mom, see how I took his arms and put them on this guy. And I like this gun better so I gave it to this guy. And I put on the black cape instead of the red one…”
I wasn’t really listening. I was nodding and saying, “mm, hmm, oh I see.” But internally, I was trying to focus on my book.
Then I remembered that loving him isn’t about me. Loving him puts his needs above my wants. Loving him means giving him my undivided attention even when my ears are tired.
Each day I have an opportunity – an opportunity to show my family that they are precious to me. I encourage you to spend some time thinking about each of your children. Think about what makes them special and unique. Think about what really touches their hearts and communicates love to them. Find little ways each day to communicate your love to them in a way that speaks to them.
What about your spouse? What special thing can you do for him without expecting anything in return? How can you communicate to him that you treasure him?
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 perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
My command is this: Love each other as I have love d you. John 15:12
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
This is a wonderful post. You definitely hit the nail on the head. You know just reading this I also thought that you can do this for everyone in your life that you love, not just family. So many people are so caught up in our own lives that we truly pass opportunities to show how much we care and love those in our lives. But definitely we should show our children how special they each are and show them the love that they need to strive and become wonderful people. Thank you Kendra for reminding us of the little things that make life better.
Beautiful reminder! Eye contact and speaking a child’s love language. And that goes for husbands too. Thanks Kendra!
I think we often over-complicate what we need to do for our children and husbands, when if we simply go back to love and let it motivate everything we do, the rest will work itself out because love never fails.
A most important habit – thanks for sharing.
Beautiful and it speaks to my heart!! Thank you for opening your heart to us!!