One of the most difficult things to address with a teenager is the subject of love because they don’t think we have a clue about it; although a long time ago I’m sure I was the same way. Love in some ways is hard to describe as it is slightly relative in nature because of our stages in life. We all know that feeling that came over us when those initial feelings of love hit us. It’s especially powerful when we’re young because of the high octane hormones raging within us.
With the above in mind, how can a parent successfully define love when feelings and logic about the topic seem to collide a bit? As an adult and due to the numerous wedding ceremonies we end up attending, we often hear the most beautiful description of love ever written. This insight into love is directly from the Bible:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
What a beautiful verse. There is no doubt that if we want to logically define love this is it because it boils down to: “Don’t tell me show me.” So don’t tell me you love me, show me if you want me to believe it.
Let’s say you have a teenage daughter and she’s madly in love. Good luck telling her she doesn’t have a clue what true love means but that’s what we usually do. Let’s take a look at this for just a moment to see if there’s another side to the story because although she might not know what it means maybe she’s living it which is certainly more important.
The reason I say this is that I feel people who initially fall in love more naturally live what the Bible tells us to do. Teenagers often have rose colored glasses on so they treat the person they love with patience and kindness. They’re unselfish always looking for ways to please the other person. They look past their partner’s imperfections. They are excited about their relationship which makes it much more enjoyable for both of them. There’s more but I’ll stop here.
Now as adults we certainly know what love is but more importantly are we living it? Do we act like teenagers in love and do the things that 1 Corinthians asks us to do? If we’re honest most of us would have to say no. So it begs the question are our teenagers clueless or are we?
With the above in mind, how can a parent successfully define love when feelings and logic about the topic seem to collide a bit? As an adult and due to the numerous wedding ceremonies we end up attending, we often hear the most beautiful description of love ever written. This insight into love is directly from the Bible:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
What a beautiful verse. There is no doubt that if we want to logically define love this is it because it boils down to: “Don’t tell me show me.” So don’t tell me you love me, show me if you want me to believe it.
Let’s say you have a teenage daughter and she’s madly in love. Good luck telling her she doesn’t have a clue what true love means but that’s what we usually do. Let’s take a look at this for just a moment to see if there’s another side to the story because although she might not know what it means maybe she’s living it which is certainly more important.
The reason I say this is that I feel people who initially fall in love more naturally live what the Bible tells us to do. Teenagers often have rose colored glasses on so they treat the person they love with patience and kindness. They’re unselfish always looking for ways to please the other person. They look past their partner’s imperfections. They are excited about their relationship which makes it much more enjoyable for both of them. There’s more but I’ll stop here.
Now as adults we certainly know what love is but more importantly are we living it? Do we act like teenagers in love and do the things that 1 Corinthians asks us to do? If we’re honest most of us would have to say no. So it begs the question are our teenagers clueless or are we?
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