Love Is…
I’m thinking of… love. Thinking about the how and the why of it. Wondering if I’ll ever understand the whole of it, even. Knowing that it’s not possible for my poor, finite mind to comprehend it. At least, not yet.
Oh, don’t get me wrong; I understand a little. I mean, I’ve experienced the amazing joy of love firsthand. And not just once, but many times, in many different ways. But over the years I’ve noticed a difference in the kinds of love there are. This simple little word doesn’t easily convey to us its rich tapestry of inherent meanings.
For instance, when I say I love… my steak – you know, the one I just cooked to juicy perfection on our backyard grill, with a nice baked potato on the side, done just right and topped with a little butter, bacon, and cheese – well, it’s pretty obvious the love I’m talking about is really just a very intense “like”.
There’s such a thing as love… but that’s not it.
When I say I love… my friends, it’s obvious I’m talking about that feeling of camraderie, of fellowship and friendship I get from the people I know who know me back in more than a casual way.
There’s such a thing as love… but that’s not it.
When I say I love… my own sibling, it’s about a familial relationship. Not that I don’t love that family member any less or any more, just because I had no choice in it, you know. It’s almost an obligation, albeit one I willingly agree to.
There’s such a thing as love… but that’s not it.
Back when I was still single, when I said I loved… the woman with whom I was building the beginnings of a significant relationship with, I was really talking about that feeling most of us recognize as “being in love”. You know what I’m talking about, right? Sweaty palms, hot flashes, brain freezes – all the silly, goofy things we find ourselves doing to first impress, and then win that other person.
There’s such a thing as love… and although I was getting closer… well, that wasn’t quite it.
But what about when I say I love… my wife? I think I’m finally getting close to what real love is. It’s not about getting, but about giving – the giving of my self – to her. To put her interests above my own. To want what she wants, to feel what she feels, to put her above myself in every way. (Not that I claim to be successful at it – but it’s a worthy goal, wouldn’t you say?)
There’s such a thing as love… I wondered and I searched, and finally, I think I know. How do I know? Because I went to the source of love. To the One Who created love in the first place. Because in reality, love is quite easily defined:
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.
Love is not proud.
Love is not rude.
Love is not self-seeking.
Love is not easily angered.
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil.
Love rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects
Love always trusts.
Love always hopes.
Love always perseveres.
Love never fails.
In fact, God is love.
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Amen…and beautifully said.
Beautiful, Robert.
I go to a liturgical church with a lectionary of readings that are the same for each Sunday every year. Today is Quinquagesima (about 50 days before Easter), and today’s Epistle reading was … 1 Corinthians 13! Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Great post since I am reading it on Valentines day! What a coincidence lol…
amen… great read, I am without my darling wife on this lonely night after valentines day
Robert, indeed God is love, no better message for the day than that one!
Much coolness. Galatians 13?? I believe that to be the love chapter, however, I’m willing to believe I’ve remembered scripture incorrectly
Thanks for this post, as it comes at a time I need it.
Good for you Robert, I appreciate your honesty and transparency in an age when it is not always the “thing” to do! I agree with Terro – amen.
@Terro – Thanks, and a tip o’ the hat, Terro!
@Lillie – Hard to think of Valentine’s Day without thinking of these verses, ain’t it, Lillie? Now if we could get the whole world on the same wavelength…
@Jason – There are those who say there are no such things as coincidences, Jason. Just sayin’.
@Tony – Sorry to hear that, Tony. Hang in there, Bubba; sometimes it’s possible to find something beautiful in the ashes, though.
@Karen – I humbly agree with you on that one, Karen!
@Matches Malone – Well, you got the chapter right, anyway! It’s 1 Corinthians, though. Glad it helped!
@Kathy – Thanks for the kind words, and a tip o’ the hat to ya for sayin’ so! I appreciate it!
I just came across your blog and it struck me to know that the world somehow is missing out on a lot of love, so that’s why there is chaos, war and crime everywhere. I agree with you that God is love and the whole world needs a whole lot of love! Great post, keep em’ coming!
@April – Hey, thanks for dropping by, April!
I totally agree with you Robert. But you forget to include in your list “Love is Blind”. hehe
@Jeff – Nah, love ain’t blind; it sees all – and forgives!