Nothing feels better than being loved or in love. Love is simply amazing! And Valentine’s Day brings greater awareness of the love we have—or the love we long to have. Roses, chocolate hearts, and cards oozing with words of affection are given to that special someone in our lives.
I dare say love is not just for the young, the engaged, or the married. Love is ageless, timeless, colorblind, and prime fodder for the soul. Feeling loved is essential to a good self-image. And it is a necessary ingredient for healthy relationships. We all need love but few of us really understand what love should look like. More importantly, what it should not look like.
Defining Love
The most accurate definition of love is found in the Bible. Yes, God is love. He has a lot to say about the subject. If we desire to properly express love in our families, and with extended relationships, we need to know the basic principles of love.
1 Corinthians 13 (NIV) is a wise schoolmaster. It begins with what love should not look like.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is to look, act, and speak the way God intends it to. Otherwise, we come off abusive, annoying, ill-tempered, selfish, and phony.
Reading further, we discover what love should look like.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I love this description. This is the person I want to be. Is it easy to live up to? Not always. But keeping this verse in mind, will be a big help. Love is amazing! The love we give out will likely inspire others to pass the same blessing along.
A Dozen Amazing Love Gifts:
Rather than a dozen roses, let’s look at a dozen practical, inexpensive, and thoughtful ways to incorporate love into each day. Don’t make displaying kindness and affection a one-and-done deal. Take it beyond the hoopla of Valentine’s Day and leave the sweet scent of Biblical love in the air.
- Smile, give a hug, or wipe away a tear
- Share a life experience
- Pray together
- Listen to understand
- Visit an elderly neighbor
- Wash the car
- Keep your word
- Write an encouraging note
- Invite someone to lunch
- Plan a fun outing
- Share resources
- Spend time together
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for love. Your love for us is amazing! Help us to love as You love. We often fall short and wound those we love. Forgive us. Remind us that real love keeps no record of wrongs. Encourage us to root out all wrong understanding of what love really is. Free us from wrongful attitudes and ingrained habits that have kept us from expressing love in God-centered, positive ways. We pray not to be a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. In You all things are possible. We can learn to love as You love. Amen
Coaches Corner
This month the focus is on expressing love in God-appropriate ways. Let’s choose to stop doing what isn’t producing positive results. If you’d like a life coach to help you let go of abusive behaviors and repetitive cycles, I’d be honored to come alongside you. Contact me at https://www.rebuildingfamilies.net/life-coach/. The first 30 minute online session is always free.
Photo 1 taken by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
Photo 2 taken by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
