There is nothing constant in life, and Victoria Osteen, wife of popular Christian speaker and author Joel Osteen, says that even love is not constant since it changes and grows.
"Think about the first time you ever fell in love or the first time you saw your child. That love seemed so powerful in that moment. New love is all-consuming. We think, "This is it! I could never love more than I do right now!" But did you know that love can grow?" she writes in her blog.
People need to consider that their love goes through seasons, she says, and people changes as it grows. "The person you love is going to change, and so you have to have insight into that other person. What they needed yesterday may not be what they need today. Your love has to adapt to what they need," she explains.
Victoria then uses a child's growth as an example: At first, a baby will need milk, but as the baby grows, it changes its preference and begins to eat solid food. Parents need to constantly adapt to the baby's needs so he or she can grow to be healthy and strong.
"In the same way, if we want our relationships to grow strong, we have to have insight into the changing needs of the other person. That's one way to know that your love is growing," she says.
And when people learn how to say, "Forgive me," Victoria says that love is certainly growing, since every person needs to both give and receive forgiveness in relationships.
"We are all going to make mistakes. We may not do it intentionally. The other person in your life may not have hurt you intentionally. We need to make allowances for one another and be willing to overlook offenses. If you can forgive other people, you know that your love is growing," she explains.
Victoria reminds people that they need to adapt to what others need, be willing to forgive and say "I'm sorry," and grow in knowledge that God is blessing the relationship's growth.
