New level of intimacy

I always told my athletes that I love them, and they are stuck with me for life. I would text them in a group chat or contact certain ones over the phone. Recently one of my former players from high school gut punched me. I have been giving them surface level love when God has called me to give them more than that. I know my calling and along this journey God continues to show me things I need to be doing. This moment was one of them. The surface level of love is not enough. The job is never finished when working with the youth.