I’m sure you can recall and likely have quoted the famous phrase from Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “How do I love thee, let me count the ways.” Upon reading it, you may be filled with ooey-gooey feelings of romance or recollections of first loves.
Yet if one reads this ageless sonnet in its entirety, it’s far from the short-lived “puppy love” feeling message that we may associate it with. It speaks of a depth of love that is not, or rarely found on planet earth.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.”
I couldn’t help but wonder if Ms. Browning was inspired to write this timeless piece on the Scripture found in Ephesians:
“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV emphasis mine)
Paul wrote this to the people of Ephesus, and it was his heartfelt prayer that they (and us!) would come to an understanding – a revelation – of how much they (and we!) are loved by God. You can almost hear the passion in his voice for his desire for them to get this concept; very similar to the tone in Ms. Browning’s heartfelt poem.
One of the decisions I made when I became a parent was that my children would know how much they were loved. This manifested in constant hugs, kisses, affection, and lots of “I love you’s;” which many times were met with eye rolls and “I know, Mom.”
Like the apostle Paul and Ms. Browning, I wanted my kids to “get it,” to know beyond a shadow of a doubt the “height, depth, width, and breadth” of my love for them.
The other night I was watching an episode of “The Walton’s” (I know but how can you not?) in which John Boy told his father that the reason the children were so well adjusted and confident was because he had showered them with so much love.
My father was not an ooey-gooey, lovey-dovey kind of guy; nor was his father for that matter. Growing up during The Depression, he took his job as provider very seriously and ensured that his family had what they needed. He valued education, hard work, and respect for your elders, so that eventually we would be able to support ourselves. My mother echoed these values.
My dad’s been gone for almost eight years. I miss him terribly. I’d give anything to spend
Father’s Day with him. However, a part of him lives on in me and his grandchildren who got an education, who work hard, respect their elders, and who are supporting themselves.
How do I love thee Dad? These are just some of the ways.
Happy Father’s Day to the ooey-gooey Dads and all those who show their love in other ways.
P.S. If you would like to learn more about the impact of a father’s love, click here to watch or listen to the Elevate The Day podcast “God ‘s Everlasting Love.”