Dear Fellow Human,
As a lawyer, I listen a lot. People don’t come to me just to vent—they come because they need solutions. My job is to take their problems, present them to a judge, and help them reach some sense of finality. There’s a clear structure: Identify the issue, advocate, and (hopefully) resolve it.
In personal relationships, the dynamic is different. I’ve been told I’m the calm in the storm, that I listen well, and that people feel heard. And I do listen. I let them express their emotions, sometimes repeatedly. But at a certain point, I start wondering, Why are we still talking about this? When does processing turn into complaining? And that’s where frustration can creep in.
But here’s the interesting thing—I don’t feel that frustration with my kids. I’ve had infinite patience as I’ve watched them test their intellect, refine their emotional intelligence, and engage in increasingly complex, adult conversations. I see their arguments becoming more sophisticated, their reasoning sharper. And even when they repeat themselves or revisit the same issues, I don’t feel that pull to rush them toward a solution. Instead, I see it as growth in motion.
So what’s the difference? Maybe it’s that I instinctively recognize that with my kids, the repetition isn’t stagnation—it’s refinement. They aren’t stuck; they’re developing. And maybe that’s a perspective I need to carry into other relationships, too.
Scripture speaks to this balance:
- “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) It’s easy to be patient when we see clear growth. Harder when it just feels like going in circles. But maybe we don’t always recognize growth in real-time.
- “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Walking with someone doesn’t mean fixing their problems instantly. It means being there long enough to see them work through it.
- “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) Sometimes the right words are simply encouragement. Other times, they’re a gentle push: Are we moving forward or just reliving the same frustration?
Maybe the challenge isn’t just patience—it’s a shift in perspective observing the other person’s journey-appreciating their effort to work through the knot that allows one to sit quietly seeing the other person as trying to grow which sometimes happens quickly and sometimes happens oh so slowly.
God’s Version of Love: Built to Last
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The world would have us believe that faithful, lasting love is a thing of the past. That commitment is outdated, that men are disposable, that women are replaceable, and that family is an obstacle to personal success. But take heart, God’s design for love is still alive.
Yes, culture today promotes selfishness over sacrifice, fleeting passion over steadfast devotion, and the pursuit of an image rather than the building of a legacy.
The world says women should seek the three 6s—six feet, six figures, and six-pack abs (as Meatloaf said “2 out of 3 ain’t bad”)—because provision, status, and looks matter more than character, faith, and scriptural relationships.
Men, meanwhile, are told to chase beauty over substance, prioritize pleasure over purpose, and trade loyalty for unlimited options. Women are objectifying themselves just fine on their own and feeding into the false and empty cycle of disposable relationships.
And let’s be honest—plastic surgery, filters, and Photoshop have made things even more interesting. To borrow a line from Ron White, “Plastic surgery used to be for accident victims, now it’s for people who aren’t even ugly yet!” By the time some of these influencers are done, they don’t even look like blood relatives of their former selves.
But here’s the kicker: gravity and time are undefeated. That six-pack turns into a cooler. That perfect skin starts to wrinkle. The work done on someone’s face might last a decade, but a heart grounded in faith lasts a lifetime.
The world’s priorities are off, but God is still calling men and women to something greater.
God’s Version of Love: Built to Last
The world teaches that love is about how someone makes you feel in the moment, but God’s Word teaches that love is about what you build over a lifetime.
• “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)
• “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
• “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
The world’s version of love is temporary—built on emotions, appearances, and convenience. God’s version of love is eternal—built on faith, character, and unwavering commitment.
And despite what culture tells us, there are still people who seek this kind of love.
Setting a New Standard for Love and Marriage
A new generation is watching. They are learning what love should look like by observing their parents, mentors, and role models. And this is where the work begins—by setting a standard that will shape the future.
Fathers should take their daughters on daddy-daughter dates—not just as a sweet tradition, but to set the bar for what real love looks like. A daughter who has been treated with respect, patience, and care by her father will not be easily deceived by the counterfeit love of the world. She won’t be fooled by a guy whose only real accomplishment is hitting “Top 5%” on a dating app.
Sons should be taught that a man’s worth is not in how many women he impresses, but in how well he leads, protects, and loves one woman. A young man who has seen his father prioritize faith and family over personal indulgence will grow into a leader who knows how to love with strength and integrity.
This is how we break the cycle. This is how we raise men who honor women and women who expect to be honored. This is how we build families that withstand storms.
Breaking the Addictions That Are Destroying Love
But here’s the hard truth: too many are falling into the very traps that keep them from finding the love they desire.
• Men are consumed by a never-ending cycle of entertainment and lust, distracted by an illusion of endless options, unable to focus on the reality of real commitment.
• Women are consumed by social media validation, seeking attention from the wrong places, and wondering why they feel empty when likes and comments fade.
• Couples are competing for social status instead of building strong families, worried more about appearances than the foundation of their relationship.
And perhaps most tragically, children are learning from this. They are growing up watching relationships built on self-interest instead of sacrifice, marriages based on convenience instead of covenant, and families torn apart by distraction instead of united in purpose.
This cycle stops when men and women choose God’s plan over the world’s lies.
Hope for the Future: God is Still Writing Love Stories
For those who have waited, searched, and wondered if real love still exists—be encouraged.
It does.
There are still men who desire to cherish, protect, and lead. There are still women who want to nurture, uplift, and stand beside their husbands in faith. There are still people who want a marriage, not just a wedding. A covenant, not just a contract.
Instead of asking, “When will I find love?”, consider asking:
• “Am I becoming the person God is preparing for someone else?”
• “Am I seeking love the way God designed it, or the way the world distorts it?”
• “Am I trusting God’s timing, or am I trying to force my own?”
Because God is still writing love stories. And the ones He writes are far greater than anything we could plan for ourselves.
Final Thoughts: Never Stop Believing in Love—The Right Kind
The world may have abandoned the idea of faithful, Christ-centered love, but God has not.
• A God-fearing man doesn’t chase momentary pleasure—he builds a home and a legacy.
• A God-fearing woman doesn’t measure her worth by attention—she walks in wisdom and grace.
• A God-fearing family isn’t built overnight—but once it’s built, it stands firm against every storm.
So, hold onto faith. Believe in the love God has designed. Trust in His plan.
Because in the end, only God’s love lasts. And those who build their lives upon it will never be shaken.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
With hope and conviction,
Fellow Traveler