Explain Love

My journal prompt today was a challenge.  How do you explain love to someone who has never experienced it?  Everyone has experienced love.  I would have once said that this is a true statement, but think immediately I think of children who have suffered abuse at the hands of those who should love them the most - their parents.  I'm not sure how I would describe love to them, it would have to be shown in real, tangible ways.  They need to know that they are cared for; spiritually, emotionally and physically.   They need to feel all three of those.  Emotional love  is shown by positive affirmation, even when they are doing something wrong.  They need to know they have worth even when they make mistakes or even intentionally disobey and sin.  Words of affirmation, along with a hug are so important. 

Physically they need to feel safe and have all their physical needs met - food, clothing and shelter.  Not exceeded, but basic needs met.  This doesn't mean they HAVE to have all the latest doo-dads; even the poorest child in the most poverty stricken nation feels love when their basic needs are met, combined emotional love.

Spiritually - they need to know that they have a heavenly Father who really, really does love them, so much that He sent His only son to die in his place.  Sometimes communicating this is difficult, especially if they are missing the other two.  And as long as I've been a Christian, I'm not sure I communicate this very well at all.  When they feel the Lord drawing them and the seed has been planted, they will understand this love. 


Wow, this part is a lot tougher.  How DO you explain the love of the Heavenly Father to someone who has never experienced it?  You can't use "christianese", they don't get it.  You can't just tell them God loves them, they don't see or understand it. You can't tell them all the stories in the Bible, they don't want to listen or have an argument for each and every one of them.  You have to live it.  It is through encounters with us, believers, that they experience the love of the Father.  A rather sobering thought to start today.