As I have progressed in age and experience in life, my loves, tastes, and experiences have changed along with the calendar. For example, I used to think that peanut butter and tuna fish on toasted bread was quite the delicacy! (I now am fairly certain I was insane during that period of life.) Now a steak dinner with all the fixings is much more appetizing than anything that ends in “-wich.”
I used to enjoy staying up late and was even quite productive after 10 PM. My ability to work hard during the day and then work hard at night was a point of pride. Now, I am content with the fact that I must be at my best early for my commute and subsequent 1st hour classes and then productive in the afternoon. This, of course, requires me to go to be closer to 10 than 1 (or 2AM). My responsibilities have changed and as such my habits have had to change as well.
My Mom was a goodbye kisser. Only Heaven can tell how many times my brother and I went to grade school with lipstick somewhere on our faces unaware of our cosmetic condition. “I love you” was a blessing that was issued more times than I ever took the time to really appreciate. A kiss, a hug, and an “I love you” was the normal routine of life as a child and teenager (and adult.)
From that familial world, I launched into the world of dating or girls to be more specific. To be told “I luv You” was the penultimate achievement in my young mind. Conversely, to share that expression with a female was the ultimate in horror to my teen existence.
As I now look back over 40 years of life and family, 15 years of wedded bliss, and almost 12 years of parenthood, I am still amazed at the power of “I love you.” In reality, the best expression of this fact has never been from a family member, girl, woman, wife, or child, it is from the pages of Scripture as God Himself communicated, demonstrated, and illustrated His great love to us — to me.
Some of the best news I have ever been give is that God loves … me.
