I tell my kids that I love them probably 50-80 times a day. When I say that, I'm not exaggerating. When I wake up and see one of them, I tell them that I love them. They walk down the hallway? I love you, son. They're eating their breakfast? I love you, baby girl. Over and over, again and again.
I get this from my wife. When we were dating, engaged and then married, she used to ask me if I thought that she told me that she loved me too often. I always told her that there was no such thing as too much love. I believed it that day, and I believe it to this day.
Many families have an issue with expressing love, but not our family. On the phone, in texts, and even the old antiquated 'in-person' - we tell each other that we love each other every day, and often.
We were made to love each other. In fact, the Bible is very specific about this. 1st John 4:7-8 instructs us so. The verse reads, "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".
To me, it's easy to love my wife and kids. I tell them every day that they are my greatest achievement.
But, it doesn't stop there. What about the other people in our lives? God didn't want us to love just the people that are easy. He doesn't command us to "love our kids". That part is a piece of cake.
Recently I have gone through some personal issues that forced me to lean on the support group of my friends at church. After one certain issue, a friend of mine hugged me, and told me that he loved me. I was a bit taken aback - not because I trust him as a friend, but it was a grown man expressing that he loved me.
I thought about it for a while - how could he love me? I mean, we are friends, and I trust him with many of my personal issues - but... love? Isn't that reserved for family, wives and children? I always considered love a very intimate, serious emotion reserved for the closest of relationships.
However, I have realized that when referring to these relationships, I was neglecting the most important relationship that I have - the one that I have with my savior.
1st John 3:16 says, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers".
Jesus loved us more than any of us could return that same emotion, and he paid the ultimate price for us. Is there anyone in your life outside of your wife or children that you could say the same thing? Other than your own flesh and blood, is there someone that would you give your life - or the life of your own son - to protect?
There's no doubt that I wouldn't take a bullet right between my eyes to protect my wife and kids. I know in my heart that I would be able to do this. It would not be easy, but given (or forced) to make this choice, I sincerely believe that I could make that conscious decision.
But what about this church friend of mine - could I do that for him? I mean, could I even express my appreciation to him as love? At first, this perplexed me. How can one grown man express love to another?
I've come to this realization, and I feel that I am right on this. This friend of mine isn't just a friend. He is someone I trust. He is someone that I rely on when times get rough. But the similarities don't end there.
He prays for me. He picks me up when I'm down. He protects me, supports me, and has a genuine care for me. And how can he feel this way?
John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I have been blessed to be surrounded by guys like him. He not only is my friend, but as I'm starting to understand why he can look me in the eye and tell me that he loves me. He is my BROTHER in CHRIST.
Why is this important?
In my relationship with my wife, we work towards the same goals - paying the bills, supporting the family, keeping the roof over our head and food on the table. One of the biggest lessons we strive to teach our children is to serve our Lord. We are religious people in a non-religious world, and we constantly strive to give good examples where sometimes, other good examples just don't exist. That's where our church family comes in.
I honestly believe that when my friend sees me growing in my faith - working hard to make sure my family grows up in a Christian home with Christian influences - he cheers me on. When our families spend time together, whether it be at church, a church function or just a barbecue with friends, I believe that he has invested time in our relationship. I am confident that when he tells me that he loves me, I believe it.
And you know what?
Just as Jesus wants us to take care of each other and spend time building relationships, I can say in confidence that I love him too.
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