I remember the first time my oldest son told me he loved me. He was about 2 and just learning to talk. I had Brooke call my voicemail at my office and have him record it, so at any time I could check my voicemail and hear the sweet soft voice of my 2 year old son saying, “I love you Daddy.” I know pretty sappy, right?
Growing up without a father left a void in my life for many years. Without a dad around I never knew a father’s love. It was until I had a neighboring family who invited me to church that I began to spend time around a father. This father was a wonderful dad to his kids and took me in like one of his own. Whether it was camping, playing baseball in the back yard, tinkering in his workshop, or going to McDonald’s before Wednesday night church, he treated me like a son and loved me. He didn’t have to invest in me or take me with his sons to a ballgame, but he did so because he was mirroring God’s love to a skinny, punk kid down the block. He may not have meant to, but he showed me a father’s love and introduced me to the Father’s love. His name was John Cook and he took me off the road of destruction and introduced me to my savior Jesus Christ. Mr. Cook left such an impression on me that I named my first child after him (John Gavin) as a constant reminder of what love can do and how it not only changes people, but it is the source of salvation for all of humanity.
Now, as I look at my kids and tell them I love them, it’s my responsibility to show them what love is, introduce them to God’s eternal love, and show them how as a family we can love our world. As my kids tell me they love me it serves a constant reminder that I’m called by God to help them understand what true love is (Deut. 6) and saying, “I love you too,” in return isn’t enough.
In February it’s a tradition to focus on romantic love, but I want to encourage you to help your family understand God’s love. Maybe you need to sit down with each of them and be assured of their salvation or even lead them to the Lord. Maybe you’ll want to brainstorm with them how your family can show love to your schoolmates, teammates, and even your neighbors. Think about how you can reach out to elderly neighbors, single parents, or any other families with unique situations. I want to challenge you to show the love of Christ in a practical way this month…you may never know the level of impact you might make on someone’s life, especially the skinny punk kids down the street.
