“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”—No Man is an Island, Thomas Merton
The kind of love that falls under storge—familial love—looks different for each of us. Some families kiss each other on the lips. Others publicly groom one another like a troop of chimps, picking at one another’s blemishes.
Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. — Exodus 20:12
We all have our way of being together. It may not look like love to someone from the outside, but this is part of how clans communicate love—like a particular food made at a specific time of year—or phone calls between a father and son over the results of a football game.
The way you learn to give and receive love among family members is complicated. Many couches have been worn out in psychiatrists’ offices because of these dynamics. But love is there.
But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. — 1 Timothy 5:8
While familial love is usually reserved for those closest to us, the call of Christ on our lives is to share even this with the rest of the world. Maybe try sharing your heart, life, and joys with someone for a while. See if love doesn’t grow!
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
— Psalms 127:3-5
Questions:
· What is one way you can show a family member you love them? Especially if you haven’t for some time, consider what they may appreciate and do it!
· If you were to outdo someone in showing honor, does it bring honor to you or them? What is one way you can show honor to a family member today?
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