Loving

Most of us have down loving. We know how to forgive. We know how to feel towards others. But what I'm not sure we've figured out is how to make the people we care about KNOW and FEEL like they are loved. We fall short. What good is love if it doesn't reach into another person and give them strength and courage and the sense of "I matter deeply to someone"?
I think that the part of love that is the most important is the part where it is received, where it is realized. It's kind of like being a teacher. You can stand in front of a classroom and write on the board every day. You can say the same things over and over.......but if nobody ever learns it, you have not taught.
So it is with love. We need to figure out how to communicate it, with words, actions, touch, whatever it takes. Because kids who feel loved do better. And we are all kids. All in need of love. All in need of people who reach out to us.
But it feels like we live in a culture where it's put on each individual to FIND what they are looking for in love......to initiate it......to pursue it. But the whole thing about love is that it's a gift. And it loses its specialness if we have to make it happen or be the constant initiator or try to make sure our needs our met.
This season is particularly full of people in need of love. Real love. The kind that changes their lives. Look at the people closest to you. Look at those not at close. And with each group, make the effort to do the reaching. The good news is that maybe those who are looking at you will be doing the same.
blessings.