Express Your Love

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39

When it comes to loving others: 1) You need to say it. An old fisherman who’d been married for fifty years to his patient, long-suffering wife, rarely took time to express his affection. Finally in frustration one day she said to him, ‘How come you never tell me you love me?’ Without batting an eyelid he announced, ‘I told you I loved you when I married you, and if I ever change my mind I’ll let you know!’ That’s a cute story, but not so cute if it’s a reality. Your husband or wife may know you love them, but they still need to hear you say it. And so do your children, your friends, and the people in your circle of influence. The fact is you can never say ‘I love you’ too much! 2) You need to show it. Everybody needs ‘a pat on the back’. Dr. Dolores Krieger, a professor of nursing at New York University who conducted numerous studies on the power of human touch, discovered that both the ‘toucher’ and the ‘touchee’ experience great physiological benefit from human contact. It works like this: red blood cells carry hemoglobin, a substance that transports oxygen to body tissue. Dr. Krieger found that when one person lays hands on another, the hemoglobin levels in the blood stream of both people increase. And as they rise, body tissue receives increased oxygen, which invigorates you physically and can aid in the healing process. What you’re seeing is the literal power of love in action. Loving is good for you! There’s nothing as rewarding, satisfying, or encouraging as loving others through your words and actions.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be more loving in both words and actions – as You are with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen