These are few statements I heard as a new mom: “let the baby cry, he will not die”, “don’t spoil that baby”, and “crying is good for his lungs”. As I reflect on these statements from people with good intentions, I realize that those statements are not completely true. We can never spoil a baby. Your baby cries because he/she needs you. There is no reason to deny your baby attention on-demand just because you do not want to spoil the baby. Babies have a lifetime to learn how good and cruel the world can be. Lavish your baby with love. The world out there is not so nice.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ~1 John 3:1
When dealing with adults, there is also a natural human tendency to withhold love just to teach someone a lesson that we cannot be taken advantage of. I had to do a heart check on that one. There is a tendency to feel like we will get hurt when we love our spouse without reservation. Especially if they have betrayed our trust. I am guilty of cutting people off and withholding love to protect myself. On the surface, I call it “setting boundaries”. I avoid talking through the problem. I love that God’s word is so powerful, it exposes my hidden intentions.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.~ Hebrews 4:12
The Bible teaches us to have the God kind of love. We should love those who have shown themselves unworthy of our love. It looks like praying for those who have wronged us, those who gossip about us and seek our downfall. I understand the concept of setting boundaries. It is very important. Especially in abusive relationships. I am talking about not repaying evil for evil. Seek God’s justice instead of personal revenge.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ~ Matthew 5:46-47
This type of love is humanly impossible. However, God’s love in us makes this type of life possible. Love your spouse like you have never been hurt. Treat that backbiter like she is an honorable person. Love your prodigal child. You can only reap love when you sow love.
Thank you for your time.
I love the points that you addressed especially in regards to babies crying and not being attended to their needs to show them that it is okay to cry. I’ve heard that time and time again from mothers. If you attend to the baby at all times, they will never learn but a baby can sense things too. We must derive our meaning of love from our Heavenly Father. He loved us even before we came to know of Him. Love is a fruit and can only be brought to fruition when we seek the help of the Holy Spirit. May we learn to love at all times. Thank you for sharing this post and your perspective 😊
Great reflection sis. I love your closing points. Yes, we must derive our meaning of love from our heavenly father. Not from our cultural ideologies and the society. Amen Amen!
When we let babies cry without attending to them, we may soon become deaf to their cries and lose the ability to connect with them emotionally as they grow older. We begin to think, ‘oh, he/she just want attention’ or ‘she just wants to have her way’ it’s not important.. We miss important cues. That’s not a good way to respond to a child’s cry. We should lavish our children with so much love and attention, so that they will not seek it desperately outside the family.♥️
My motto is, they are only little once. Enjoy those precious needy moments while you can.
Yes yes! My thoughts, exactly! Thank you for reflecting with me.
Great advice and points..I always value your words of wisdom ❤️🙏
Thank you sis! I value your insightful comments . ❤️
Thanks for this sis.
Sow Love!. 💯
Thank you ♥️