Embracing Love in Daily Life: The Power of ‘I Love You More Than.’

I recently came across a quick video that a friend shared on facebook and it struck me. It was a great reminder of the power of love and compassion for ourselves but also within our faith as Christ followers.

As parents and people, we get so caught up in the day-to-day daily grind that at times we may lose sight of the importance of expressing love. In the midst of our busy days, it’s crucial to remember the transformative impact of simple acts of love.

The challenges of parenting, working, interacting with people in person and on social media we often forget to prioritize love over frustration, anger, impatience, disagreeing or whatever negative emotion flares up at the time.

I know I get caught up in daily grind and don’t always tell my spouse or my children or consciously think I love this person because they are human too. How should I react or state my next sentence. When we remember one simple word love, it can have a huge impact on how we treat others and how we treat ourselves. Instead of reacting impulsively, practice using the phrase “I love you more than” can profoundly influence our interactions with others especially our children.

I love you more than exudes Love first. We start to lead lives how God and Jesus intended us to live. Taking this simple step shows others and reminds our children that no matter what the circumstance we Love them. This simple phrase can make a huge impact before you lose your patience, or yell or redirect them. “I love you more than.” “I love you more than” will give your children the confidence that no matter what happens similar to our heavenly Father, we love our children no matter what.

When our children don’t listen, or they break something, or they have a fight with their sibling or whatever it is, we as parents don’t always remember to show love first. Instead, we yell or lose our patience and point out the fault of our children and why they shouldn’t do something and how they should do something different. In other words, during those times of frustration we don’t demonstrate or tell them we love them first.

When negative emotions flare up or something happens, instead of jumping on our children about the transgression good or bad, we should change our thought process and instead first say, “I Love You More Than….”.

I love you more than when you didn’t listen today but try better.

I love you more than when you hit your sister today but let’s be kind.

I love you more than getting a good grade, however you did awesome!

Saying these simple words has such a positive impact on ourselves and on how we parent. I started to put this into practice myself and it has worked well. It has neutralized my feelings at that particular moment and diffused the anger completely. As for my children, they are reminded no matter what, they matter because I love them First despite the good or the bad. They have a new found confidence, they are no longer fearful, oh is mom mad at me or doesn’t love me anymore because I was bad. I feel better too, I’m reminded that my children mean way more to me than that dish that fell on the floor or that math test they did a good job at. Our children and the love we have for them is what actually matters, and this is exactly how God feels about us, He loves us purely and unconditionally.

Beyond parental relationships, extending love to all facets of life fosters deeper connections with our faith and humanity. When we put this into practice with every single person we interact with.

I love you more than what we are arguing about.

I love you more than politics.

I love you more than this disagreement.

Shifting our mindset and using the phrase, I love you more than, we start to live how God intended us to live. God’s unconditional love reinforces the profound significance of love in our lives. God loves us so unconditionally He gave His only son to rescue us from this world of sin so we could be with Him forever.

In the Bible the love is mentioned over 300 times. However, love permeates throughout the entire Bible. From the very beginning, God has always loved us and will continue until the end of time. Even when we mess up like our own children, He still loves us. He still loves us even when we yell, He still loves us even when we get angry, He still loves us even when we lose our way from Him.

Psalms 36:7: How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Romans 5:10: For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:7: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:8: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16: 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 them.

Psalm 136:26: Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Luke 15:11-32: Like this parable, despite human transgressions, God patiently forgives, corrects with compassion, and welcomes back the repentant like a merciful father welcoming home his prodigal son.

I challenge you to put this into practice with your children, your spouse, your friends, your family and every person you interact with whether in person or on social media. To treat others with love and compassion. When we do, we lead a life closer in Christ (Philippians 2).

Worldly things do not matter, what truly matters is God’s love for us and our love for our children, for others and for ourselves. When we put worldly things above people, we are no longer living how God intended us to live. We are here to live as Jesus lived and to demonstrate and attempt to be how Jesus was. That dish, that mess, the small fight, your frustration etc doesn’t matter. What matters is love and how we exude it. When we show love towards all people, we are becoming closer to God.

Another good reminder is when we remember every person, we interact with is a person who has feelings and has their own issues. We start to treat others kinder, with more compassion, with more love. To live like Christians, we should strive to live more as Jesus did. When we know we are loved unconditionally by God, our Creator, we gain sense of self-worth, value, and security. Our children will feel the same way. We are both reminded of what is truly important and what matters.

Another great reminder is exuding love and letting go of hate, forgiveness has huge impacts on our health. When we hold onto negativity it can manifest as physical and emotional strain via depression, illness, cancer, etc. So instead, advocate for forgiveness, self-compassion, and a deeper spiritual connection as pathways to holistic well-being.

Let go, forgive yourself and others, be a better person, a better friend, a better parent, a better child of God for your soul and for your health. Love all people and especially demonstrate that love to your children!

God Bless