Love Day

In my house with a 2 and 4 years old, Love Day is what we call “Valentine’s Day”.  Every year Valentine’s Day makes me ponder, “how can I make the people I love, feel special, cared for, thought of, and loved”, especially my children who are being formed daily in their views on life.

What exactly does that look like?  Does it just last one day? What about a week? What about all year long?  One thing I want my children to know without a doubt is that their parents love them.   Does that mean giving them everything they ask for? Going above and beyond every day?  Do everything for them? Nope.  That’s not love.  That’s setting them up for failure.  God tells us to discipline, give structure and guidance, teach right from wrong, teach love and kindness.  

Prov. 13:4: 24

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,

but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Prov 29:15

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

Discipline and structure are not a punishment.  They are preventive measures to help guide and protect them.  Just like the bible.  We all know how we are to behave.  There are expectations and there are consequences for actions.

Training should be done in love.

Prov 22: 6

Start children off on the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Hebrews 12:9

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to

the Father of spirits and live!

Eph 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I want them to KNOW and to FEEL what it is like to have an unwavering unconditional love so that as they grow older they can KNOW and FEEL without a doubt that their God LOVES them, with an unwavering and unconditional love.  He is a great educator in how to show love to our children. 

1 Cor 13:4-7:  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Eph 3:18-19

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and

to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

May we all take a moment and feel God’s love for us, his sacrificial love. His deep love that surpasses all understanding. The grace that comes with the love.  Until we can fully accept and understand his love for us, will we fully be able to show that true love to our children? 

1 John 3:18 

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

We’ve all heard the saying,

“Actions speak louder than words”

So, here are 10 ways we can show our children we love them: 

1. Look them in the eyes– Don’t be distracted by the laundry piling up on the floor, toys not put in the basket, the sibling running over. 
   
2. Give them undivided attention– put down the phone, turn off the tv or music. 
3. Listen to them– let them tell you their opinion, talk about what interests them, or their imaginary story that has no real facts in it but to them is completely real. 
4. Take 5-15 minutes to read books to them or play at them at their level – Don’t be afraid to get silly, step in to their world.  
5. Ask them if you can give them a big hug and hold for 20 seconds– this is proven to reduce stress. 
6. Take them on a one on one date- to the dollar tree or to the park
7. Love language– not sure? Take this quiz
8. Dance party– Make a play list of their favorite songs and let loose. 
9. Use your words– Love notes around the house or in their lunch box. Recognize their positive actions and state them aloud in front of other people.  They hear what we say and take it to heart as their identity. 
10. Ask directly– Ask them what you do that lets them know you love them. 

Ps. 36:5-7

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Check out the Free Printables below!!! Enjoy!