Here is a situation:
A father and his university-aged son have a very rocky relationship. It's to the point where they no longer speak. The father is faced with a choice: try to rebuild the relationship with his son, or do whatever he can to ensure his son's future, including happiness. This might include working longer hours and away from the family for extended periods of time, or offering views that might not be popular, but that he believes must be heard for his son's survival, if only he would accept the words. Is that a true test of his love for his son? To sacrifice his relationship with him to ensure that he has a better life? Is it similar to dying for your son's freedom, but just less dramatic?
How about a man doing something similar for his woman? Is it different? Is it appropriate to say that he loves her so much that he is willing to lose her as long as she recovers from her illness, financial situation, family situation or whatever it is that is making her "sick", or threatening her survival, be it physical, spiritual, mental or financial?
Have you ever loved someone enough that you would be willing to sacrifice your relationship to that person? Is that even love?
A father and his university-aged son have a very rocky relationship. It's to the point where they no longer speak. The father is faced with a choice: try to rebuild the relationship with his son, or do whatever he can to ensure his son's future, including happiness. This might include working longer hours and away from the family for extended periods of time, or offering views that might not be popular, but that he believes must be heard for his son's survival, if only he would accept the words. Is that a true test of his love for his son? To sacrifice his relationship with him to ensure that he has a better life? Is it similar to dying for your son's freedom, but just less dramatic?
How about a man doing something similar for his woman? Is it different? Is it appropriate to say that he loves her so much that he is willing to lose her as long as she recovers from her illness, financial situation, family situation or whatever it is that is making her "sick", or threatening her survival, be it physical, spiritual, mental or financial?
Have you ever loved someone enough that you would be willing to sacrifice your relationship to that person? Is that even love?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son...
If you love someone, you want the best for them. If you just want to have them, that’s not love.
I don’t think there’s anyone in my life I would not separate myself from if that was in their best interests. But that’s not that difficult: if I cause someone else harm by being with them, then being with them also causes me suffering and harm.
I had an ex who blurted out once: I don’t want you to get well! If you get well you won’t need me any more!
I understand the sentiment a little too well, but I don’t think I would act on it.