The Best Expression of Love is Time
In this article I quote an excerpt from “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. In the demanding fast paced world in which we all live the focus is often on productivity and accomplishment, mostly measured through the acquisition of material goods or things. We seldom hear of people measuring success through the variable of meaningful interpersonal relationships between two people and this is most striking when celebrating anniversaries. When we hear that a couple is celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary we react with surprise and on the occasion that a couple is celebrating fifty years together, we consider this to be a miracle.
Considering how each of us uses the “time” we have helps to answer the question of what is required to have a successful, meaningful, passionate relationship with the person we chose to share our life with? Many of us take “time” for granted, as though we have an endless amount of time on this earth. We say, “we’ll do it tomorrow”. The truth is, each of us has a finite amount of time on this earth and it should be your purpose to spend your life well.
The following message written by Rick Warren is a most important message that we should all consider.
The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them. The more time you give to something, the more you reveal its importance and value to you. If you want to know a person’s priorities, just look at how they use their time.
Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.
It is not enough just to say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is “T-I-M-E”
The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. Men, in particular, often don’t understand this. Many have said to me, “I don’t understand my wife and kids. I provide everything they need. What more could they want?” They want you! Your eyes, your ears, your time, your attention, your presence, your focus – your time. Nothing can take the place of that.
The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention. Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at that moment. Attention says, “I value you enough to give you my most precious asset – my time.” Whenever you give your time, you make a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love.
written by Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life”