Stating a scientific principle, like Newtons’ Third Law of Motion “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”, over and over again does not change its meaning. It does not add nor subtract anything to what is meant. Even unstated or unspoken, the truth of the statement remains.
It is different when it comes to love and the language of love. Words of love are meant to be repeated and the meaning of love becomes richer with each repetition. And the strange thing is that unstated and unspoken, whether in words or in deeds, love eventually dies. Saying ‘I love you” to persons I love makes me stronger in that love and also strengthens my loved ones in my love for them.
Anabelle and I had an overload of love messages from family and friends for our 40th anniversary. But then again, there can never be an overload of love affirmations. No word of love is ever wasted. Once spoken, it works its magic like magic. Yes, we can never say “I love you” often enough.
May I never have to wait for someone to ask me “Do you love me?” before I say these words that are so life-giving and life-affirming to them.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
~ Psalm 103
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15-19
