 by Dan Parker So I’m not entirely sure if I should blame it on my ADD(SAIL!) or if it is legitimately just me being phonetically friendly, but I realize how many languages I can greet people in. The problem with that is once the hello-how-are-you parts are emphasized, they immediately assume that I am possible fluent in their native tongue. Clearly the deer in the headlights look corrects their assumption and I have to laugh, but I kind of enjoy awkwardness through my actions, as long as it is in a positive vein. People that know me can understand that I’m different. There is a reason that I am bring this up, though. I believe that we should wholeheartedly practice the adoption of love, in all of its facets.
1. People Don’t Care How Much You Know, Until They Know How Much You Care. I think that is true. Unless the person doesn’t have a soul, but that would be impossible. I have seen first hand how a person sharing or taking time to get to know the little things. Walk, talk and give the two paths. Empathy and sympathy. Unless it is pity. No one needs pity, yet some want it even if it will make scenarios more melodramatic. I have had people pity me when I shared parts of my past. I didn’t want it. I didn’t need it. It didn’t help. I showed that people to them weren’t equals. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” - Hebrews 10:24 2. Empathy. Empathy. Empathy. I cannot stress that point enough. People will share things or allow you a look into the window of their life. Maybe they are grieving the loss of loved one. Or maybe the favourite brand of toothpaste had been recalled and forced the company into chapter 11. The biggest thing is trials of life. If you give your time, then you show love in action. The human condition causes us to feel as though we cannot handle the stresses of life or pain that may come with it. But we, whether we believe it or not, are never given more than we can handle. Even in death. The human spirit becomes stronger when given hope. Hope can prescribe simply by taking the time to share your time, even if it’s just to listen. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” - James 1:2-3 3. Love Can Be Shared in the Form of Trust. Trust given, trust received. Especially to younger generations, specifically children. I know that my kids trust me, but I have made it a point to not make empty promises. Or any promises for that matter. I don’t want that to be taken out of context. Hear me out on this. Imagine being a kid again, being told that you are getting a treat or going to Disneyland. Day after day you don’t receive. You ask about it but eventually stop asking. Were you not worth it? Trust breeds a sense of worth, not entitlement. Safety, not fear. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” - Numbers 23:19 4. Love is the Ultimate Gauge of Relationship. As said in 1 Corinthians 13: it is patient, kind, does not boast or envy, etc. Love is an act of self sacrifice. By allowing ourselves to love, to give love, we open a new way of seeing. Selfless. Giving. Vulnerable. We exemplify a Godly trait by doing such. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” - 1 John 4:8 Creating an environment that focuses on adoption of love is not a new idea in any means. It's simple, but a lot of times seems like in goes against our “Self-care”. But when we love others, we love ourselves. This is who we are created to be. Unique, and loved.
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