Not lonely is not the same as in love

Young adults who leave the excitement and energy of so many friends from high school and college can often find themselves lonely and alone. Along comes someone that fills the gap of alone and POW!, that person may think they are in love. Don't make the simple mistake of thinking that the absence of loneliness is the same as love. You can be alone and not lonely, but you can also be lonely and not alone. Real love will put your best interest first (and by the way if you love them you will do the same). Many a lonely heart that found a partner thought they had a found a soulmate. Make sure as you leave college and launch out into the real world that you take time to be picky and choosy in your relationships even if they are harder to find than they were on campus. What you got ain't no nicknack! Don't trade love for simply not being lonely.

Puppy love is real to the puppy!

Parents often blow off the heart break and emotional ups and downs of adolescent crushes. While overreacting is never smart, neither is under-reacting. While you may have the advantage of years of experience and true love insight, realize that "puppy love" is real to the puppy. Use these young relationships as opportunities for you to demonstrate your love, concern and  open ear to your kids. These are teachable moments about how to deal with honest confrontation, communication and moving on. Show "dog-gone" good judgement in how you react, and they will learn how to not let bad relationships dog them for the rest of their lives.

Push me down and shove me around

If I ran up to you and shoved you to the ground what would you think? What if I told you I saw you were in danger from a truck barreling down on you that you did not see? That might change your mind and you would actually be grateful!  Do you have true friends in your life that when they see situations barreling down on you spiritually, emotionally, relationally or vocationally that they jump into action even if you might misunderstand? I hope you do. A real friend will speak the truth in love to you and tell you what you need to hear and not just what you want to hear.