What is love? Is it a feeling? An idea? Can it even fully be grasped or explained? I know that God is love. I know that His love is too deep, and far, and wide to even fathom. But what about romantic love? I know the bible says that love is patient and kind. That is is not angry, or rude or jealous or boastful. That it rejoices in the truth. That love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. It never fails. Love covers a multitude of sins. It is said to be stronger than death. We are to love with actions and in truth. Alright, so I guess that answered my first question. But now I propose another: What does it mean to love someone?
Besides the aforementioned explanations of love, I have some personal thoughts on the matter. I believe that love is accepting someone as they are right at this moment. All of them. Period. It doesn’t mean that you love their bad qualities, it just means that you accept them. It is accepting their past and looking forward to their future. It is about supporting and respecting that person, placing their needs above your own. It is wanting the best for someone, even if you do not gain anything yourself. Love is also a feeling. It is when you care so much about something that there is no other word to describe the way you feel. It is often difficult to explain. It’s that feeling deep down in your soul or the pit of your stomach. But it is not simply a feeling. Nor is it a word that should be tossed around haphazardly. That feeling has to be accompanied with what is written in the Bible. It has to be backed up with what your head tells you as well. Your heart and your head must agree.
Love is laughter. Love is selfless and pure. Love is caring for another deeply and tenderly. Love is thinking of someone often, without obsessing. Love is missing the other when you are apart. Love is wanting to share in good times and bad; in trials as well as accomplishments. It is encouraging and serving one another. Love is wanting to do nice things for each other, for no reason at all. It is caring about each other’s happiness. Love is a sacrifice and a partnership; it is giving up your needs for another’s, and having them do the same. It is give and take. It is overcoming obstacles and helping one another. Love is seeing the best in each other. Love is being able to be vulnerable, to share your deepest thoughts without fear of rejection. Love is being content and feeling at peace in each other’s presence. It is being satisfied just sitting in silence with one another, doing nothing at all. Love is listening. Love is forgiving. Love leaves a lot of room for grace. Love is a choice and a commitment. Love is a risk. It is putting your heart on the line and being completely vulnerable and transparent. Yes, it is a pretty great risk. But being loved in return has to be the greatest feeling in the world. I mean, God talks about the importance of love over and over again in the Bible. And God IS love. So by loving someone, we are actually growing closer to God. So, I say, take the risk.
-Karly Roberts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tim Timmons
Incredible worship leader, father of 4, who lives with a rare form of cancer. Read his new post on the discovery of 3 new tumors. It sobered me up as well.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Risk
"Reach out to those you fear.
Face the complexity at the heart of every conflict.
Imagine beyond what is seen.
Face the complexity at the heart of every conflict.
Imagine beyond what is seen.
Risk vulnerability one step at a time."
- Jean Paul Lederach, Mennonite Peace Campaigner.
found this gem here:http://prolongedlypeaceable.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 16, 2012
Life Lessons
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old. This is something we should all read at least once a week!
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.” My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
01. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
02. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
03. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Change the way you think.
04. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
05. Pay off your credit cards every month.
06. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
07. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
08. Release your children when they become adults, it’s their life now.
09. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Just because you believe you are right, doesn't mean you are. Keep an open mind.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. Your job is to love your children, not choose who they should love.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield..
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.” My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
01. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
02. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
03. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Change the way you think.
04. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
05. Pay off your credit cards every month.
06. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
07. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
08. Release your children when they become adults, it’s their life now.
09. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Just because you believe you are right, doesn't mean you are. Keep an open mind.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. Your job is to love your children, not choose who they should love.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield..
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Marriage Sermons
I've been encouraged by many friends to listen to these helpful sermons on marriage and all it entails, I think I will & I hope you do too!
click here:http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/sermons
click here:http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/sermons
Monday, April 9, 2012
Love Defined by Little People
I work with kindergartners, ages 4-6. Their understanding of love and their ability to love absolutely anyone is so amazing. I wish we could stay that way as humans forever. It would make the world a much happier place.
Click here for some perfect definitions of love.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Joy
"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life,
the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright,
and the determined choice to praise God in every situation."
- Kay Warren
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thoughts
Ten Thoughts on Whole Living
Read, Think, Live
Action is one of the best remedies for fear.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help the next generation.
Worth asking: where in my work is the opportunity to improve the world, even in the smallest way?
Making waves may be riskier than treading water- but it’s also more productive.
Going green is like protecting your health; it comes down to respecting the place you inhabit.
Often it’s not our values that are faulty, but our priorities.
It’s impossible to learn to swim without jumping in the water.
Follow what makes you naturally curious; it will lead you to your passions and purpose.
Try not to confuse one defeat with total defeat.
Each time you turn on the faucet, let it be a reminder to go with the flow.
*Whole Living Magazine April 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
