I love you

As you read the title I wonder what you thought. "Does he mean he loves me?" Those words are powerful and they evoke dramatic emotion. Perhaps you remember the first time you said them to your spouse. Perhaps you have never said them in that way, but have to your mother or sister.

They can be said casually, slowly, repeatedly, flippantly or a thousand other ways. Only the actions of the speaker can determine if they are said for real. Kind of. My actions don't always bear that out.

I mentioned to a couple tonight that when I see my mother in law or talk to her on the phone I always say, "I love you" at the end of our time together. She knows I do and she needs to hear it. Words of affection and affirmation. There is no substitute because we are people of language. Actions are supportive and helpful. They may speak louder then words but I wonder how much louder, 20%?

Words are powerful and saying them can change our actions. Saying, "I love you" can lead to actions of love. The church fathers would say lex orandi, lex credendi. The rule of prayer is the rule of belief.

So who do you need to say, "I love you" to? My guess is there are several. And maybe one of them needs to hear you say it like this, "I have not said this in a long time, but I want you to know I love you." Actions will follow.

Jesus could want that from you. And it is OK to say, "I know I do not act like I love you. I do love you, but I love me more sometimes and that is wrong, so would you forgive me? I will try to do better and I know you love me always. I just need to remember that."

Something like that is working for me tonight. Actions will follow. Worshipwell.