A friend called me to task some years back. At the end of some frequent and lengthy phone calls, he would always end with, “Love you, brother.” I never reciprocated. In my world, this phrase was often abused, misused, overused, and felt like an insincere way to end a conversation.
“Love” was a special word; you saved it for the right moment!
I never remember my dad saying this through most of his life. When used, he often seemed to show his discomfort while using a word I’m not sure he experienced much of throughout his life. It seemed not to be a term I had heard in any conversation with family or friends since birth. I’m sure he and I would have been uncomfortable having to state and affirm the obvious at the moment.
The few times I remember it being said, as a kid, you would squirm and squiggle, back away from, and go play. “Love” was not a common word but a special one.
But wait! “There is Love” was our wedding song! (Click to read.)
Fast forward: In my frame of reference today, I equated those phrases to electronic and machine noises I despise—Haptics, alerts, warnings, buzzing, and the like. I enjoy my quiet experience. The noise is not needed.
Through all these thoughts, I never doubted there was, and is, Love. You don’t have to say it to know it. But still, there are times and spaces when it would be nice to hear it or give it and have it received.
Somewhere There's Love: Never doubt, though never heard, love exists, even when the word is seldom used. Share on XYesterday, we celebrated our church Christmas Banquet. In place of a regular service, we cooked, decorated, set up, cleaned, and returned the sanctuary to normality. In the middle of the beginning and end, we shared food and laughter, connected with visitors, and reconnected with each other. Gift exchanges, contests, and photo ops… My role? Just enjoy being there—no heavy lifting. I just experienced the love of my church family and gave it in return.
Some special folks poured themselves into the event. They know who they are, and I’m sure they know how much my bride and I love and respect them.
As a visitor asked: What does Christmas mean to you? I could return to our Wednesday podcast and point to it for meaning. Still, it is something we must be ready to answer anyone the hope we have within us (1 Peter 3:15). It’s not about the celebration event or the season we reference (we don’t know when Jesus was born), or even the trappings of society that tells us how to celebrate.
What we need to know is that we are loved. And this love came to live among us so we can reconnect, celebrate, and share the same love forward. Love, as Christ shared, began in mystery, was lived in totality, and was sacrificed for each of us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.
(John 3:16-17 NKJV)
I never heard Jesus say, “I love you.” But he showed his love with everything he did. When I read the bible, or pray, teach, and preach, I’m living the legacy of Love. Even if I never say it.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
In this the love of God was manifested toward us,
that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us
and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
(1 John 4:7-11 NKJV)
I love you.
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