Friday, September 18, 2020

Love Takes Time

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,
this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever heard the saying "Love Takes Time" before? Have a immediate family member of yours ever heard the saying, "Love Takes Time" before? Have a friend of yours ever heard the saying "Love Takes Time" before?

This post focuses on a October 1975 General Conference talk, and it is called "Love Takes Time" by Marvin J. Ashton. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. Elder Ashton has mentioned 
the following; "... The world is filled with too many of us who are inclined to indicate our love with an announc-
ement or declaration. True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be 
real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. 

... We must at regular and appropriate intervals speak and reassure others of our love and the long time it takes to prove it by our actions. Real love does take time. ... Love demands action if it is to be continuing. Love is a process. Love is not a declaration. Love is not an announcement. ... Love is not an expediency. Love is not a convenience. ... Keeping is a process of care, consideration, and ... All of us need to be constantly reminded it takes a heap of living and loving to make a house a home. How do we best show our love? How do we prove our love?

... When were you last fed by a family member or friend? When were you last given nourishment for growth and ideas, plans, sorting of the day, sharing of fun, recreation, sorrow, anxiety, concern, and meditation? These ingredients can only be shared by someone who loves and cares. Have you ever gone to extend sympathy and comfort in moments of death and trial, only to come away fed by the faith and trust of the loving bereaved? 

Certainly the best way for us to show our love in keeping and feeding is by taking the time to prove it hour by hour and day by day. Our expressions of love and comfort are empty if our actions don’t match. God loves us to continue. Our neighbors and families love us if we will but follow through with sustaining support and self-sharing. True love is as eternal as life itself. Who is to say the joys of eternity are not wrapped up in continuous feeding, keeping, and caring? We need not weary in well-doing when we understand God’s purposes and his children.
Undoubtedly our Heavenly Father tires of expressions of love in words only. ... not too uncommon, of people who, hour by hour, day by day, and month by month, have taken the time to love one another. ... because, gratefully, all around on a daily and continuing basis, we see true love in action. ... What a pleasure it is also to witness all along life’s paths others - people not driven by tragedy, crisis, or loss practicing the basic principle of true love. In the usual routines of life often courtesy, consideration, and kindness are best exhibited in the little day-to-day meaningful expressions that denote real love.

... The opportunities for showing love for God through the home, neighborhood, mission field, ..., and family are never-ending. Some of us are inclined to terminate our love processes in the family when a member disappoints, ..., or becomes lost. Sometimes when family members least deserve love, they need it most. Love is not appropriately expressed in threats, accusations, expressions of disappointment, or retaliation. Real love takes time, patience, help, and continuing performances. ... Love of God takes time. Love of family takes time. Love of country takes time. Love of neighbor takes time. Love of companion takes time. Love in courtship takes time. Love of self takes time.

Whether we are a young son, not wanting to hear of love, but preferring to see it in action, a prisoner, a student, a mother, a father, daughter, or the stranger, we need and deserve more than the declaration, “I love you.” Let us resolve to take the time to give of ourselves in putting love into appropriate action and performance. God, too, needs more than words. He is made happy by our feeding, keeping, and continuing. I pray our Heavenly Father will help us to learn the truth that meaningful love is a continuing process that will bring joy and happiness to all participating parties. ... God help us to take the time to enjoy the blessings of feeding, keeping, and caring. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk now or in your own time, here is the link below.

Stay Tuned until next time. 

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