One of the wonderful consequences of years and years of building a culture of love in my family is that my children have become free in their encouragement to me and to others. They have grown into my best friends, and my investment of love aimed at their hearts now is coming back to me.

This happened as a result of investing lots of love and grace and appreciation into my precious children so that they would experience a safe, lifegiving place where our friendship could bloom.

Today is the time to invest in the lives of those we love, as there may never be another time. Express your love, take the initiative to let family and friends know they really mean a lot to you. Make sure they understand beyond the shadow of a doubt how much they are worth to you. Honor them with your actions, with words that will be planted in their souls.

Read more about this in The Lifegiving Home.