WHAT MOTIVES DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHILE CARING FOR YOUR PARENTS?

A father was approached by his grown -up sons. Father, they said, please divide your property amongst us. We will always look after you. Heeding the Words of his children, the father agreed and divided all his property amongst them. It was decided that he would live with his sons, staying with each for two months at a time. So, when the partitioning of the land was completed, the father went and stayed with his eldest son. Hardly one week had passed when the attitude of his son and daughter-in-law showed signs of change. They began to neglect him. They treated him so badly that, long before the two months were over, he left them and went to stay with his second son.
But there he fared no better. After only five days he had to leave them as well because he could not bear the verbal abuse inflicted upon him by his daughter-in-law. His experience in the house of his third son was even worse. There, he was reduced to constant tears. Finally he took refuge in an Ashram. The guru of the Ashram gave him some advice. A month later, the father returned to his sons carrying a locked box. They were eager to know what he kept inside. When they insisted that He tell them, he said, I have some valuable jewellery in there. I will not give it away until I die. After my death, anyone can have it. When his sons heard this, their attitude towards him changed drastically. There are no words to describe the love they suddenly showed their father! Each son pleaded with him to come and stay at his house. Thus the father once again began to Stay with his sons, except that this time he was treated very well indeed!
Finally the father died. His sons did not waste any time: they rushed to the box and opened it. But what a surprise they got when they found only a few stones inside the box!
This story describes then a true worldly love. There is selfishness behind all forms of worldly love. If we spend our lives seeking love in the world, we will do nothing but grieve.
In our culture today, so many people are confused about what love is. We love pizza, movies and sports, but we also love our family or spouse. If we look to the Word of God, we see God’s definition of love. The Bible tells us that love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal. (1Corinthians13:4). This is how God responds to us, and this is how we should respond to the people in our lives. With patience, kindness, hope,
humility and love. Scripture tells us that God is love, and His character never changes!

God is Love and He has created us out of love, so that we may love him and one another in return. What can give us the motivation to love in this manner? How do we love and care for those around us? Anyone whom we come in contact with is our neighbour.