With our 14 year Anniversary approaching, I thought I would blog my thoughts, and my findings on this very complex word, LOVE.
LOVE, a word I have reflected on for many many years, but just recently this word has re-surfaced. LOVE… How can one define LOVE… We have all experienced the deep heartfelt emotion of love, to possess affection for someone, but I believe love is much more than a personal feeling.
The Greek word "Agape" is often translated "love" in the New Testament. What is "agape love"? The essence of agape love is self-sacrifice.
Biblical definition of love: 1 Corinthians
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things.
Agape love is active, not abstract or passive. It does not simply "feel patient." It is patient. It practices patience. It does not simply have kind feelings. It does kind things.
Love is truly love, only when it acts… Scripture tells us, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18).
My friend Michelle gave me an “ah ha” moment… She reminded me that some people are only capable of "conditional love" a term I’ve always known, but never put into perspective.
I believe Agape love is the love that most parents have for their children, but some parents unfortunately may only possess conditional love for their children which says “ How do you make me feel” where true Agape love says “I care about how you feel”
"Perfect love cast out fear."
- 1 John 4:18
Raising a child with unconditional love means that no fear is created in the parent-child relationship. To love unconditionally simply means that parents accept their children completely and without restrictions or stipulations.
I remember when I was 21, when P.J. was born, someone gave me her advise to “Instill the fear of God in him, this is how you will get him to be obedient to you” Very sad… being an impressionable young woman, with a new baby, I had some struggles with this, but was able to search my heart, and set her advise aside and provide unconditional love for my child.
What a child says, thinks, dreams and feels must be heard, honored and respected.
Unconditional love will harvest respect for the parents… Therefore, if the parents want the child's respect, the child must be the recipient of respect.
This brings me full circle to the reason for my writing… My husband…. Whom I love, admire and respect. I believe that unconditional love for a spouse does not come to pass as easily and as naturally as it does for a parent to a child. I believe true love for a spouse happens over time… and becomes stronger over time. I believe it’s through troubles and difficulties, and the triumph of these struggles that create true Agape LOVE. Powerful emotions may accompany love, but it is the commitment and the will that holds true biblical love strong and unchanging.
