Thoughts on Love
I was blog visiting this morning, and after commenting on David’s blog, I thought I’d share the comments here for you as well.
His question was on love, and what it is to you. Here is my (slightly added to) reply…
Love… wow.
Friendship has taught me that we need others in our lives. They challenge us, they help us experience the world around us in new and different ways. A true friend is there beside you to help you through the good time and the bad, and something that should be cherished. Friendship has taught me how to bear one another’s burdens. To lift up those around me in prayer, to share the joys and pains, to laugh and to cry for things that aren’t “mine” and truly experience them through another. It has taught me about brotherly love, and has helped me to realize that God made us for community. We need each other, just as we need that friend that is closer than a brother.
Marriage taught me how to love deeply – for better or worse, in good times and bad. It begins with a desire for that person to be your everything (at times) and grows into the realization that no one but God can (or should) be your everything. But that other person IS your other half in many ways. They are there beside you, helping you, nurturing you, growing with you. Love will continue to grow and deepen – despite hurts, despite pain, love can and will endure. It will heal. And it will fill you up and bring such joy in the midst of the trials of life. Marriage has taught me about true, deep commitment. And reminds me not to take Eric (or God) for granted. It has taught me about how Jesus loves the church, the Bride of Christ.
Parenthood has taught me more about God’s love than anything else in my life. To have a child is to send your heart out walking around in the world each day. Their simply being alive makes you love them. When they show love in return, it is a huge blessing. When they attempt to withdraw that love it is painful, but you still love them, and hope that by continuing to love them, they will come around again. Witnessing their achievements fills you up inside, seeing their hurts breaks your heart. Parenthood had taught me about how God loves us, and reminds me that even when I choose to ignore Him, He still loves me and is patiently waiting for me to come back home. He is always waiting for us, always loving us. He will never leave us or forsake us. NEVER.
This is love, that you would lay down your life for a friend… or an enemy. That is the love of God, that He would sacrifice His only Son so that EVERYONE could be saved. He died not only for those of us who call Him Lord, but for those that despise and curse Him, that they could one day come to love Him.
THAT is amazing love.
What about you? What does Love mean to you?
2 comments
Great post!
Amen Jennifer!
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