I went to dinner with a close friend of mine the other night, and he lamented that both of his parents were cold, non-affectionate parents, and that, though good providers, the kids grew up needy, and that affected their adult relationships and lives, often ending in broken marriages.
He and his siblings felt that if they were loved and emotionally satisfied from childhood, by generally being loved by their parents, it would have had positive benefits for their adult relationships. I think their self-appraisal was realistic and accurate.
We can shower partners, kids and pets with gifts, material possessions and plenty of spending cash, but if we do not love them easily, without condition, and express and demonstrate that love for them and enjoyment of them openly, repeatedly, and daily, the objects of our affection will wilt, suffer, and deteriorate like flowers neglected care, affection, light, fertilizer, weeding and warmth.
Being unloved and the incapacity to love is at the root of most of the world's troubles. No partner, child, pet, or flower can flourish, and be fulfilled and happy without being unconditionally, permanently loved.
There is no greater gift that we can share with God, ourselves, and them. No gift is more useful, more beneficial.
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