Only this evening I told someone else I'm everyone's Best Friend Forever, exactly like my late uncle. Is it genetic? Probably not, because quite a few people have that characteristic, but I like to identify with him.
What is affection? We think of it as emotional longing, a desire to be present with and for them, a trait that doesn't depend upon their good behavior but happens just because they are. We want to stay connected and we feel affection for them even when we're far away from them. That yearning tends to draw us back to them, so we find ways to be close to them again.
Like my uncle, I'm always for the underdog and undercat. I have so much affection for those who haven't won a chance for the spotlight that when a baseball team I don't follow and that's overall not doing well this season wins a game against one of my teams, I'm happy and excited. (My main teams are the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox with a frequent side of San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.)
As recorded in John's gospel 15:15 Jesus says we're no longer his servants but now we're his friends. Is that good news? I hope it is! Because we know Jesus as the ultimate BFF. As we read all the gospel accounts, we observe Jesus and his companions demonstrating immense affection for one another.
Following Jesus, Paul of Tarsus had deep concern, gratitude, joy, and affection for the churches he planted and served. The church at Philippi that I've written a fair amount about seems to have captured Paul to an extreme extent, although he prayed constantly for all of them. Like Paul, most pastors feel both affection and frustration for their congregations. Like Paul, most pastors pray a whole lot for the churches they serve.
In Hebrew biology and therefore in scripture we know the heart is mostly the seat of will and intention, yet it encompasses the tenderness and affection we post-enlightenment westerners identify with our hearts. Jesus and Paul showed us all of that to perfection!
How about you? What are some objects of your affection? Notice the peaches picture? Food gets a lot of my affection.
I tend to really love people who love me. Only by God’s grace can I show affection to someone who is cold towards me. Jesus loves everyone. And he can help me to show affection towards others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Leah. I wish I had read it before I wrote my post.
ReplyDeleteI am everyone's best mate,
ReplyDeleteready with a joke and brew,
but sometimes people hesitate
because they find me scary, too.
I am really not sure why,
what kind of menace I present,
for I would not hurt a fly,
and gentleness is my intent,
but that was not always so,
and my ancient history
will never really cease to show,
and I guess requires me
to always take the kinder part
and live with a warm, open heart.