There are many sides of true love that are seldom recognized for what they are. For example, patience is often attributed to love, but discipline is rarely recognized for being part of love. When called upon to picture a certain person that gives love, so many of us would think of a kind, patient, grand-motherly figure that ask little and forgives all. Whereas very few might imagine a strong fatherly personage that holds his ground and does not overlook our own shortcomings. The truth is, however, that both of these characters are, by their deeds, showing love. Different situations and circumstances will dictate which type of love any given individual needs at a certain time.
The nice pleasant "soft love," is easy to take in large doses. The more harsh, "tough love," is usually preferred in very small quantities. However, the Lord does not allow us to write our own prescriptions, and since "our ways are not His ways" (Isa. 55:8), it follows suite that the opposite of our own desires are true. Tough love is often needed when soft love would be preferred. Adolescence is probably one of the best examples of this truth.
From the time a child is 13 or 14 years old, the world begins changing at a rapid rate. In one fell blow, childish innocence seems lost forever. A world that was so secure and perfect just a little while ago is all of a sudden clouded by strange fears and new realizations. Peer pressure stands in-between what would normally seem right and begins to persuade the young person differently. Acceptance by anyone and everyone becomes a goal. As ridiculous as it would have sounded just a few months ago, they find themselves doing things that they don't want to do, just because someone that is in a higher grade tells them to. Insecurity about themselves and who they really are begins to weaken the strong young mind almost instantly. This is the time when love steps in. Quickly and accurately, the in particular situation is assessed and the proper measures began immediately.
Lesson number one: Life goes on. An adolescent needs some sort of stability and order. Love will demand that. That may include going to bed at a certain time, performing certain chores around the house, or mowing the lawn on a regular schedule. These tasks may seem small and aggravating, but love knows that every teenager needs to have some amount of order in their mixed up world. This allows them to know that life goes on, no matter what the problem is. If Sally likes Billy, but Billy doesn't seem to return the interest, the dishes still have to be washed after every meal. If Jason is three months past his sixteenth birthday and still doesn't have a driver's license, the yard will still need to be mowed every Saturday.
Other lessons will follow. Love will prove that beliefs do not have to be sacrificed simply because situations, or friends, change. You can be strong for yourself. If heavy metal rock music was not allowed in the house before that does not change when the teenage years hit. Gently demanding the young person to be strong at home will prove that he can be strong in other places as well. This and other lessons will be taught by love. |
