Dec.03.02: Lftd - "Sometimes Love Means Letting Go"

-- 1 John 4:16 (NIVUS)
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in him."

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One of the hardest things about loving someone is
when we must helplessly watch them make wrong
decisions and learn life's lessons the hard way.
Every parent knows the ache of watching the children
we love make foolish choices.

Sometimes love hurts
Especially when we see loved ones
heading for danger.
We call to them, "Watch out!"
We grab at them
and try to bring them back
to a safe place.
But they don't listen.
They break loose,
ignoring our warnings.
And we must stand
on safe ground
and let them go
to learn the hard way.
And if our love is enduring,
we stand with open arms
to welcome them back
when they finally decide -
I am finished with danger -
I must go home.
And if our love is true,
we do not hold to,
"I told you so,"
but
"I love you - even so."

-- Unknown

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-- 1 John 4:18 (NIVUS)
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,
because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

-- Revelation 3:19
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.
So be earnest, and repent."

-- Proverb 22:6 (NIVUS)
"Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it."

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