Today, there is so much conflict in the world. We see it with individuals, families, political groups, and nations. We seem to have forgotten a key value for survival: love each other, or perish!
For a class, I’ve been reading Tuesdays with Morrie. in the book, Mitch Albom quotes his dying professor:
“If you don’t have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don’t have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, ‘Love each other or perish.’”
Morrie Schwartz in Tuesdays with Morrie
Often, we don’t see love as a necessity. But it is as important as water or food. We need to give unselfish love as much as we need to receive it.
- If you are a parent, continue to love your kids through the times they aren’t very lovely. Everything is a season.
- Sooner or later, they’ll realize how much you love them.
- Sooner or later, you’ll need them as much as they need you now.
- If you are married, remember your vows. Learn to love unselfishly, especially when you don’t feel like it.
- Be there for them in every situation.
- You never know when you will need him or her to be your advocate.
- If you are single, find a group of friends at church or another institution.
- Find a group that you can be an advocate for.
- If your parents are alive, find ways to honor them
No matter where we are in life, we can find someone to love unconditionally as they learn to do the same. Because in the end, the only thing that matters is love.
And it’s okay to talk too much about love. If you’re kids get annoyed about all the love talk, then at least you know they are getting the message.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. ”
1 Corinthians 13:13
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
