Men, another important ingredient to love that we as fathers and husbands need to role model is hope. If we do not physically demonstrate this hope dimension of love, it remains an abstract and dormant something that cannot be explained. The Apostle Paul, in revealing the all important "agape" love, states that it "hopes all things."
Hope is an unfulfilled expectation that we trust will one day be fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled. It is something we believe for but have not yet fully received.
When we fell in love with our wife, we hoped that our advancements toward her and our very special interest in her would arouse a reciprocal love. We eagerly and anxiously hoped that one day, in the not too distant future, we would be engaged and married. Likewise, we are to love our wife and family with an ever continuing hope. We believe that our love for them will produce an ever increasing and meaningful intimacy, as well as rich relationships, that will be mutually satisfying to all parties.
In this way, hope not only has the present in mind, but also a better future.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell