{Love} n: unselfishly loyal and unconditionally benevolent concern for others

{Love} v: to cherish, to have a tender devotion for

To love and to be loved. Oh, what beautiful, powerful capacity lies at the heart of these intrinsic traits of man’s existence! It’s no secret that when loving is paired with liking it is no arduous chore in the least. And what a blissful breeze it is to love when it aligns with our thoughts, emotions and plans; when our love immediately encounters a reciprocated delightful comeback. Pleasurable it proves to love when it’s comfortably automatic; when the colorful confetti of ‘Valentine’s’ sentiment is scattered throughout the entire year.

But. What about those days where love feels miserable and downright impossible? When nearly every ounce of ourselves is waging war against it? Yet, in this brutal uncomfortableness we’re still in luck. For it is then that we realize that love is a choice. A choice we make over and over and over. It is then that we come face to face with ourselves and see how equipped we actually are at this whole loving and being loved thing. Do we choose love when it’s grueling, when it seems unrequited? Do we love others in the ways that are genuinely beneficial to them? Are we aware of the multiple ways others might be loving us? Do we graciously accept the love of others? Are we considerate and make it easier for others to love us? We are usually quick to say “Yes!”

Then we take a long, hard look at 1 Corinthians 13….love is patient / is kind / is not provoked to anger / does not envy / does not seek its own / hopes all things / endures all things / etc.

Hmmmm. Are we closing avenues to fully love where we feel slighted? Are we picky about how others should love us? Do we unravel and retaliate when others, prompted by love, address a default and encourage us in the right direction? Perhaps we are stingy with our love based off others not fulfilling their duty to love? Just maybe our capacity to love kindly and patiently is significantly reliant by our mood and things adhering to our plan? (Are you crinkling your upper lip into your scrunched nose and feeling a blush of shame as much as I am??) If we are truly honest our previous positive answer will probably not be quite as heroic as we originally boasted.

In following God’s command to love Him and our neighbor for His sake, we tap into His love to fuel and forge a love that endures the easily comfortable as well as the seemingly impossible; a love that will find joy and purpose in both; one that fills all voids and bridges all chasms. One choice at a time, we can love and be loved: all the while allowing His love to do the work.

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” {Mother Teresa}

“The measure of love is to love without measure.” {St. Augustine}