Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed.
Being a parent is about getting them things. The cup of water they need before bed. The new clothes for school. The hug after they fall down . . . or fail.
Parenting is being there, literally. It’s about being of service, literally. Driving them around. Tying their shoes. Coming over to do the dishes and laundry after they’ve come home from the hospital with their own newborn. Holding their hair back as they throw up from chemo treatments. It doesn’t matter how old they are, or you are; that’s what we’re here for. That’s what we do.
We ask them the question that Tom Hanks has described asking his own children: “ ‘What do you need me to do?’ You offer up that to them. ‘I will do anything I can possibly do in order to keep you safe.’ That’s it. Offer that up and then just love them.”
That is love. It’s what your job is. You’re here to serve.
—John 3:18