We all want to be loved, valued and affirmed. After that, we
may want many different things, but at our core we want love. Unfortunately,
for so many of us, we did not see what true sacrificial love looks like in our
childhood, so we grabbed onto the counterfeit. It is so clear that the love of
the father has such an important role on our sons and daughters. The vast
majority of men in prison had no father figure in the home. Many women who are
dealing with self-esteem, body image, love addiction, etc. point back to what
we flippantly refer to as ‘daddy issues’.
On social media we are reading how people define love. And
in many cases it is the counterfeit kind. It is based on emotion and it is
fleeting. God’s love for us was set in motion back in Genesis when He provided
a way out for us after the sin of Adam and Eve. His love for us was fulfilled
with Jesus’ birth, death/sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection. Love is a choice.
Love is selfless. Love comes at a cost. Love has boundaries. Abuse of love has
consequences.
We need a lot more authentic love today. Love that listens
with soft eyes. Love that allows honest sharing, but allows for healthy
disagreement. Love that is displayed far more than it is spoken. This kind of
love begins with how we treat our own families. How parents treat their
children and how they teach them to treat others, including those in authority,
shows them what authentic love means.
Love is not defined nor exemplified on social media. It is
done day-to-day out in the real world. It is messy. We are all flawed and we
will make mistakes. But we must invest in one another in real and tangible ways
if we ever hope to model the authentic love our Father showed us through the
gift and sacrifice of His Son. That is the love that will cross the great
divide happening all around us. That is the love that really does win.
Hope Clinic for Women has a wonderful training for parents
that can take place in a 4-week group session or alone with our male counselor
on staff. He also provides excellent couples and family counseling. If you are
interested in rediscovering healthy love and healthy relationships for you and
your family, please contact us at 321.0005 or www.hopeclinicforwomen.org.
Renée Rizzo, CEO of Hope Clinic for Women
