Expressing the different forms of love

Hi neighbour! God has given us two commands which, if obeyed, would bring us immeasurable satisfaction and peace of mind all the days of our lives!

One is to 'love your neighbour as yourself'. The other is to 'love your enemies'. If you have never received or expressed true love this may sound far-fetched.

I am not about to give a lesson on love but there is such a level of love that can inspire us to obey those simple commands and reap the benefits. For the purposes of this article, I present love in two categories: low form and high form.

We were all made with the capacity to receive and express the higher form of love. Note that if it were not possible, the Creator would not require it of human beings. The barbaric, animalistic behaviour which governs human relations and interactions comes from a form which is yearning for an upgrade.

Such upgrade can be divinely facilitated when the individual recognises that his behaviour is incongruent with his Creator's expectations of him, and positions himself to experience a love transfusion.

The employer, doctor, teacher, pastor, man in the street who winks at an attractive young lady and later sweeps her off her feet with his low-grade expressions of love, invariably causes misery later for stakeholders. What follows sometimes is a broken marriage or a number of neglected children. In other cases, it may be a defrocked member or the clergy, a dismissed staff member, and so on. Had the higher form of love been at play, the plot would have ended differently.

Sadly, this level of love forms the platform for most relationships! In many quarters, it is called selfish love. Others call it dirty love. This type does not consider the welfare of others. It cannot sustain a family and certainly cannot take anyone through the storms of life. There is always a hidden agenda anchored to self.

We need to open our eyes and recognise that this type of love ain't cutting it! We view it on television. We watch it on the Hollywood screen. We read about it in books. It is witnessed in the community, among parliamentarians, on the buses, in the streets, among schoolchildren and motorists. It's a love that says, "I love you if you love me; if you'll affirm or make me feel good this thing can work. It will outlast us if you meet all my expectations ..." That's why we can be friends or lovers one moment and staunch enemies the next.

An enemy is anyone who takes a personal interest in hurting or causing hardship to another person. Whenever the opportunity to hurt or embarrass the person arises, the enemy will grab it. He/she will also refuse to do anything that he/she knows will prevent harm from coming to this other person. People become enemies for various reasons: a relationship gone sour, plain jealousy, a founded or unfounded dislike for someone else and the like.

Poisonous fluid

Enemies are everywhere secreting their poisonous fluid that can trigger a tragedy at the drop of a hat. There is no power on earth that can entrap the energy of enmity but love. Love is stronger than hate. Always remember that when you hate your enemies, it weakens you and strengthens them; when you love them, it weakens them and strengthens you! I can tell you that love for enemy will diffuse the enmity and make them your friends.

How can we begin to love those considered our enemies? Start by thinking good thoughts about them, as you would a friend. Pray for them. Extend a hand of kindness with every opportunity which comes your way. If this is impossible, seek divine help.

Whatever we do, stem the tide of enmity which has crippled so many minds. Enjoy your life and help a neighbour from the list (at left). You will be glad you did!

Silton Townsend ('Maas Gussie'), author of Hello Mi Neighbour, is an actor and charity activist.

THANKS TO NEIGHBOURS

Maureen, St Catherine, for donating diapers and other clothing to newborns.

Ms Miller, St Catherine, for donation of adult diapers to adult neighbour.

Janet, Kingston, for offering to assist Ms Edison, St Mary, with transportation cost to and from the doctor.

Neighbour, St Andrew, for donation of books and other items to students.

Neighbour who offered toys to Alecia to start a day-care centre.

A neighbour who is also extending herself to assist Alecia with a project.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBOURS

Neighbour, 69: accidentally fell from bus and broke her hip, in severe pain night and day. Needs financial help to do hip replacement.

Francis, Clarendon: single unemployed, mother: two-month-old has to be taken to hospital regularly; needs help with diapers and food for the child.

Boneto, St Andrew, unemployed: asking neighbours for assistance to purchase a nebuliser (pump) for 12-year-old daughter who is asthmatic.

Faithe, St Andrew: needs clothing for three-year-old daughter.

Debbie, Manchester: mother of two, father is not helping. Asking neighbours for assistance to rear chickens to help generate an income.

Neighbour, St Andrew: unemployed; daughter died leaving her with a four-year-old boy. He is badly in need of food and other supplies.

Samantha, St Catherine: was abused - resulted in five children; needs bed linen, curtains, clothing.

Ms Holson, Kingston, needs clothing for seven-year-old girl.

Neighbour: mother of five. Lost job; two children in high school and three in primary school - no food to give them.

Edna, 68, needs a stove. Wood fire has become very burdensome.

Tanesha: four-year-old daughter is paralysed and in need of a wheelchair.

Claudia, St Andrew, mother of three: in need of a stroller.

Neighbour, St Andrew: Mother of three got burnt out. In need of clothing for the entire family.

To help, call 906-3167, 884-3866, 373-7745 or 299-3412 or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link. Those who desire to help us with our financial obligations may make deposits to account 351 044 276 at National Commercial Bank (bank-routing password JNCBJMKX); or send donations to Hello Neighbour, c/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10.