Love never fails

3 September 2021

Words Neil Venables

This week’s Salvos Magazine has a seasonal focus on Father’s Day in which I’m delighted to share some thoughts.

Being a dad of four children has been the greatest joy and greatest challenge of my life. I can recall each birth, and I have numerous milestone memories in each of their lives – first words, first steps, first tantrums, first injury, first day at school, first sporting game, first date, first heartbreak and so on. What I love most about being a dad are the chats we have had together over the years, sitting by their bedsides, around the kitchen table, in the car and more commonly now, in the local café.

My own father recently passed away, but his presence remains as I fondly recall the special moments and relationship I had with him.

My dad was a great encourager. He always emphasised character over achievement, reputation over success, humility over position. He was also a special grandfather to my children, having a particular interest in each one of them, keen to listen rather than tell.

I am fortunate that my relationship with my children and my father has been built on a common foundation of love. Love that is born out of a Christian tradition: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails …” (1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4-8a).

Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Venables is Editor-in-Chief of The Salvation Army Australia.