Love

Note: Don't worry. This is not some sappy blog about romance.

I love God. I do. Everyday I learn more about what that means. But right now I know that every new thing I learn about Him, I love. I wouldn't want to live without Him in my life. Yes, I get frustrated and angry (shocking, I know) at Him sometimes. We all do, right? But I know that even when it's hard to talk to Him or when I don't feel worthy or when I'm frustrated, I still love Him.

That's the nature of agape love. Love that is unconditional. Love in spite of the circumstances.

I love my parents. Oh yes, they've made me angry and confused and sad and frustrated. But I love them. I understand that they are human and will make mistakes and I don't punish them for that. So I will always love them. Even the times I was most angry or annoyed at them (which I can't remember, of course), I still loved them.

True love does not go away when things get hard.

I love Candiss and Arlene. Both of them will tell you that my friendships w/ them have not always been sunshine and walks in the park. I've fought and cried with both of them. Neither of them are the same as me and I love that. They are so deeply embedded in my life that I couldn't stop loving them if I tried.

What am I getting at? A definition of love. What does it mean when I say, "I love you"? I'm learning that those 3 little words mean different things to different people, but there has to be some common thread, right?

I love you:
- I want what's best for you.
- I'd rather live w/ your flaws than live w/o you
- I enjoy being around you
- You make me smile and I like to make you smile
- I feel your joy and your pain when you feel them.
- I would die for you ("...darlin if you want me to..." - sorry...couldn't resist)
- I accept you as you are
- And I feel this way even when times are hard, when I'm angry at you and even when you've hurt me.

We don't always feel all of these things Day 1 in a friendship, romantic relationship, with our families or even with God. But, I believe that we can get there and surpass that definition. Yes, it takes time. Yes, your love for someone can grow over time. And, I believe that this is the love modelled for us by God - not romance novels and not the movies.

I love God. I love my parents. I love Candiss and Arlene. The list goes on.

And I believe that my husband will love me like this one day (and then some). Why not? I'm worth it. I'm not crazy for wanting this. Who just wants philios or eros? They're awesome. But if you add agape to those, you've got the recipe for AWESOMAZING!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. Love never fails...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

What are your thoughts? What's your definition of "I love you"?