I Love you... I think..

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.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love seems to be the one thing that everyone is seeking, and when you're single... everyone else is finding. We look around, and we see how much fun couples are having, and how in love they are with each other, and we realize that type of love is missing from our lives... And so we search for it, and sometimes we force it just so we can "think" we're in love.

Of course, parents always make fun of teenagers for this, especially when they have their first crush. That first day they are in "love." High School couples show how much they love each other by holding hands, and kissing. And in a romantic moment, they look into each other's eyes (just like the movies) and say those magical words, "I Love You."

Then, 2 weeks later they have broken up, and are both seeking their true love. That next wonderful boy or girl who is going to fill their heart. This is one of the biggest challenges we all have, because we forget what Love REALLY is. We see couples holding hands, kissing, and cuddling, and we say to ourselves, "Wow, they really love each other." But love isn't only in what you do, but what you don't do.  It's not only about sharing, but about sacrificing.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13

In 1st Corinthians, we are told exactly what Love is... Love isn't always easy, because it means we have to care more about others than we do ourselves. Love isn't about going on dates, and having the other person buy you things. It's not even about physical attraction. Love is about a deep caring for the person, on a level you cannot even describe. Love is making yourself be patient, even when you don't want to be.

Love is being kind, even to their parents or your mother-in-law! It's being kind to them, even when they are not being kind to you. To care more about their feelings than your own.

Love does not envy, it does not want things for itself. This is the biggest mistake people make today, they see a relationship and they become envious. They compare their relationship to others, and forget what they have already. They start focusing on more, and on the things their partner cannot provide for them. Love is not envious, but it is gracious and thankful.

Love is not proud. This means that when you love someone, you are willing to set aside your pride, and your dignity for them. You are willing to admit when you are wrong, and accept their comments and criticism... even when you don't want to.

Love is not easily angered, and keeps no records of wrongs. This is the biggest problem with high school relationships, and it is usually due to two things:

1. The couple was not looking for a real relationship, but rather what they thought the relationship should be


2. The couple was not mature enough to forgive and forget

Love is being honest, being open, and accepting the other person's honesty and openness to you.

And Love is wanting to protect the other person from all hurtful things... even yourself! It's worrying about hurting the other person, more than you worry about hurting yourself, or having them hurt you. Love is putting your trust in the other person, that they will take care of you.

This is the kind of love we need to look for in a mate. This is the kind of love we need to find when pursuing a romantic relationship. And this is the kind of love we need to offer them in return. Because when you find true love, this kind of Godly love, then you have been truly blessed.

And when you find this kind of love, this true love, your relationship will survive anything that is thrown your way. As long as you and your mate stay focused sharing this Godly love with each other, your relationship will last. Because true love perseveres.

Okay, the above post is not my work. Haha. I took it from simpledevotion.org , a website that I came across while I was looking for devotion for dating couple. 

The devotion gives great explanation about love in 1 Corinthians 13. Whether it is for couple, or even for singles, i think it is an eye opener and can be applied to any relationships, not necessarily romantic relationships. 

I literally read it a few times to fully absorb it because to be honest, I am very lacking in this area. Not only because now I am in a relationship, but I think in general I struggle to love the way God does , even towards people that I am close with for example family members. Basically the sentences that I highlighted with BOLD are the ones that striked me the most. 

Hope this post encourage us to love the way God loves.

All glory to God,

Orange girl =)