We are studying the 5 Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman in small group currently. The small group is having a great time going through this book and applying the languages to those in the group. Tonight we discussed quality time. There was a question in there about does spending quality time with others energize or deplete you.
This made me think of the movie Jerry McGuire. As Tom Cruise(Jerry) and Renee Zellweger (Dorothy) characters are leaving the office after being fired and quiting, they experience a beautiful moment where a man signs to a women "You complete me." Jerry McGuire reprises this line in the pivotal closing speech where he wins back Dorothy's love.
We talked though about how some people can just deplete you. So I sat in group picturing this moment in my head. Where I am standing next to a friend and recite the words, "You deplete me." This just made me laugh. It is so true. We have people in our lives who energize us. Who we cannot wait to be around and to hang out with. But there are others who need our love too, sometimes more, and sometimes need to be shown a pathway to hope, healing, and recovery. That often means just loving them. Letting them deplete your love supply while God fills it up more. Others need to move on. They need counseling and professional help and it is OK to lead them to this door. But we must do so in a loving way. It is important to be authentic and real, and set boundaries, but in the end we are called to love.
Jesus said " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " -Luke 10:27
1 comment:
Wow...deep stuff on the blog. By the way, Gary Chapman peformed the pre-marriage counciling for my son and daughter-in-law. And I have taught his book at least once. He has some good "stuff". He certainly fills the spiritual tank. I thank God for such practical and intelligent Christian men.
Post a Comment