I was sitting at lunch today with my 3-year old daughter and we were just smiling and giggling and laughing at one another as we ate lunch. There was nothing special going on... we were just having a quesadilla, banana, chips, and milk. Not a special lunch, and no special activities. However, we were just enjoying being together. As we were sitting there eating, I smiled at my daughter and then said, "you know what?" She excitedly responded "WHAT?" I then said, "I love you!" She smiled and then said "I love you too, daddy." It was precious, it was pure, it was real!
As I continued to eat I started to think about some of the youth I have worked with over the last 19 years in youth ministry, as well as others whom I have encountered during that time, who have shared with me about some of their family life and functions. On numerous occasions I have spent time talking to people who have told me that they never heard one parent or the other say to them, "I love you." As I was sitting at lunch today eating with my daughter and we shared those simple words together, I started to reflect and wonder how could any parent ever go for any amount of time and not say "I love you" to their own child??? It is something that I just can't comprehend. I realize that there are many factors which I may not know, many situations which are different than mine, and very different personalities. I also realize that God has wired me in a way where I show emotions and tenderness and sensitivity very easily. For me... with my daughters... I find that I literally can't keep from saying "I love you" to them! As I said above - it is natural, it is pure, it is real. And with the way I feel about them and the ease (and the numerous times per day) of saying "I love you" to them both... I just cannot comprehend how any parent could keep those 3 words bottled up to never say to their own child(ren), "I love you!"
Thank you Lord for your love... that because you first loved me, I can love others. And I pray, Lord, that I would always be able to say with ease, "I love you" to my daughters - even if they do things I don't approve of, may I be able to say those words to them, just like you do to me every day, even though I do many things that do not please you. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Awesome note Ryan!!! :) I have special sayings with my kids... starts with "I love you" (they repeat)"I love you more".... "I love you mostest"... I love you around the world and back again... this usually leads to infinity, infinity x2 etc- got more and more complex as they get older... and now 2 yr old Kenna does it too....
And with my Dad we have special sayings he learned in Colorado :) yellow rocks and red rocks (hugs and kisses, I think from some Indian tribe or something, and it means the world to me that he remembered that a few months ago and it is now our sign off when we chat online) :o)
Posted by: Rebecca | February 25, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Yes! We love you too Ryan. Why do you suppose that for some people, giving love or receiving love is difficult? Why is it so natural for some and foreign for others?
Posted by: Laura Kasperowicz | February 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I think it's amazing, the experience we have as parents, to understand better our relationship with our Father in Heaven.
Remember that today, and all of it's circumstances, were given to you by God so that you could enjoy this moment. He loves us all so very much!
Posted by: Adam J | February 25, 2011 at 01:45 PM