Love is not shallow, it's a verb

2 days from today our streets will be painted red. Ladies will be walking around town with bouquets of red roses and restaurants will be fully booked with lunch and dinner reservations. That is just a glimpse of what Valentine’s will be like in most countries all around the world. It’s a day of love. A day reserved for the expression of love to friends and loved ones. Why run your pockets dry and go through all the ‘trouble’ to show love? Isn’t saying I love you more than enough? Those are the questions some people may be asking and here is the answer…. LOVE IS A VERB!

Love goes deeper than the words I love you. Those three words without an action attached to them can be empty. Love is an experience and an experience is found in deeds. Think of it this way, how can you say I love you to a person who has no understanding of what the words I love you mean. Ever wondered how a new born experiences love. How does this innocent child comprehend the love of the mother yet has no understanding of the words I love you. How does this mother manage to give this child an understanding of her love? How does she make this child cling to her bosom, cry for her attention and give a loving smile of appreciation after a good feed? Through her cries, the child communicates a need of affection from the mother. She communicates that she needs her mother’s touch, soft voice and smile; to this child this is love. To the mother, the opportunity to tend to her child needs is an opportunity to give and share her love for her child. Love meets a desire of love and love gives love. We all desire love in different ways, the ability to meet one’s desire of love is the best expression of love. Giving love is love.

One form of giving love is showing appreciation. This month at Riziki, we will be giving our love to our children who sat their KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) examination by awarding them with certificates. Appreciation is a big thing in Kenya. Saying “thank you, great job!” goes a long way in changing a life. Love motivates us to be our best and to always give our best. Our Riziki Kids need for love is an opportunity in life. They desire love through the provision of an education that will put them on the path of a career of their dreams. The boys at Osiligi need love of a second chance. They need the love that motivates them to transform their lives and give back to society. They desire love through words that affirm their great potential to do great works and be the best. All this children and youth need the hope that is found in love. 

C.S Lewis wrote in his book “The four Loves” “The mark of Friendship is not that help will be given when the pinch comes (of course it will) but that, having been given, it makes no difference at all. In this season of love, choose to be a friend to someone. Show love to a child a youth or an adult by meeting their need for love. They may not desire chocolates, flowers and all the nice things we can buy during Valentines. Their desire is for an opportunity in to be their best .

Have a loving Valentines Day.