I used to think the most difficult words to utter were "I love you."I remember the first time I told my mom and dad "I love you." I was a typical unexpressive, ungrateful teenager, but on the day I left home for college I looked my parents in the eyes and said those three little words with excruciating pain.
Then there was the first time I told my wife, Barbara, I loved her. My heart jumped wildly, and my adrenaline was the only thing flowing faster than the beads of sweat on my forehead. I remember wondering how young couples in love could survive the experience!
Telling another person "I love you" represents risk and vulnerability. Yet however difficult these words of love may be, three other words are even more arduous to express: I need you.
Consider the number of people you have expressed your love to: your mate, children, parents, extended family and possibly a few select friends.
Now think of those to whom you have said, "I need you"-a much smaller number, most likely. Most of us have difficulty admitting need. But why?
Because admitting need means we are dependent upon another. It means we are less than complete by ourselves. When the apostle Paul admitted that he had no one but Timothy who could meet a particular need in Paul's life, he was making himself vulnerable, admitting his dependence on one beloved person.
It's interesting that in Genesis 2:18 Adam had to be told he had a need. God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone." And even after that divine, authoritative statement, Adam probably had to name several thousand creatures to finally get the point: he needed someone!
Today is no different-God often has to show us how we need our mates and our children. And when He does, let's not be afraid to admit it.