Love is not confined to physical expressions or fleeting emotions. It is an entity an act of commitment, transcending mere feelings.
True love reflects the divine nature of God, who is the embodiment of love itself. As stated in 1 John 4:8, "For God is love," knowing and experiencing God is synonymous with knowing and experiencing true love. This divine love should be reflected in our relationships, especially in how we nurture our children.
In a home, love should be the primary force shaping how children experience and understand God. True love involves commitment, devotion, loyalty, and faithfulness. It is inherently good because it is rooted in God's goodness, as Psalm 119:68 reminds us: "You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees."
Characteristics of True Love:
Love is Patient: Just as God is patient with us, we must be patient with ourselves and our children, allowing for growth and learning.
Love is Kind: Kindness in our words and actions fosters confidence and focus in our children, motivating them positively.
Love Does Not Envy: Understanding that each child is unique prevents comparison and favoritism, helping to nurture their individual strengths.
Love Does Not Boast: True love prioritizes others’ needs over self-promotion. It involves practicing gratitude and appreciating the contributions of others in our children’s lives.
Love Is Not Proud: Avoiding pride helps maintain humility and prevents destructive behavior.
Love Does Not Dishonor Others: Honor is essential for recognizing the inherent value in every person, which is a core aspect of love.
Love Is Not Self-Seeking: True love builds connections, sees the best in others, and affirms their value without selfish motives.
Love Is Not Easily Angered: Understanding that children are learning and prone to mistakes helps us manage our emotions and avoid unnecessary anger.
Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs: True love involves forgiveness, letting go of past mistakes, and not holding them against the child.
Love Does Not Delight in Evil but Rejoices with the Truth: True love rejects anything harmful or unjust, celebrating honesty and fairness aligned with God’s principles.
Love Always Protects: Love involves safeguarding others from harm and offering support and care.
Love Always Trusts: It gives others the benefit of the doubt and maintains trust.
Love Always Hopes: True love holds onto hope, believing in the potential for improvement and growth.
Love Always Perseveres: Love is steadfast, enduring through difficulties and challenges without giving up.
Love Never Fails: True love is invincible and eternal. It endures, never diminishes and never ends.
True love goes beyond physical expression and emotions, embodying the divine nature of God. It is marked by patience, kindness, humility, honor, and unwavering commitment. In parenting, modeling these qualities helps children experience and understand God's love. True love nurtures growth, offers protection, and upholds trust and hope, proving to be an eternal and enduring force.
To cultivate this kind of love, we must intentionally build a family environment where healthy communication is practiced and true love is consistently expressed. This should be a space where mistakes are accepted, and weaknesses do not disrupt our relationships or peace. As 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) states, "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." True love fosters growth and brings out the best in everyone.
Thank you all.
Dr. Nene Oluwagbohun
This was so an amazing read and a reminder of God's love and how me need to mirror that in our lives and in our homes. God bless you sis . We must be the vehicle for showcasing God's love to our children and to our entire household.
Ma. thank you so much for explaining to us what true Love is all about because the whole world is facing a bankruptcy crisis of True Love.❤️