Love…True Love

On my mind much lately is the principle and practice of love.  Some questions that have been in my thoughts are those such as:

  • Do we have to earn love, or can we expect it to be given freely to us?
  • What comes by “protecting” ourselves through not expressing the love we feel toward others openly?
  • How do we show our love in a way that it is received as love by those around us?

Over the past year or so, I have been working on relatively young relationships with new acquaintances and I have immediately felt connected to these people who have recently entered my life.  I feel a familial bond with them and seek to express my love and admiration for the presence of these new friends in my life.  Yet I hesitate.  If I express love quickly, will they find me insincere?  If I feel love for them that is unreturned, will I feel abandoned?

My husband and I are celebrating eleven years of marriage this month.  We had a short courtship (met in June, dated in July, were engaged in August and married in November).  Days before he proposed to me, we stood outside on my front step to say goodnight.  He looked at me and said, “Tell me something.”  I immediately thought to say, “I love you.”  In an instant, I thought of all the times I could’ve said it in other relationships when I didn’t.  I had never been comfortable standing exposed to express my feelings.  As I look into his tender eyes, though, peace overwhelmed me.  I said, “I love you.”  Never before had I said that to a man I had dated, but I said it to him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and spirit.  He did not return the words then, and I was okay.  I actually felt triumphant!  Jubilant! Lifted!  I was amazed how expressing my feelings of love soared my spirit to new heights.

When those around me share their love with me through words, I feel a deeper bond in our relationship.  I pray that my words to others will sustain them when they feel lost or alone.  I know that thinking of them when I am troubled and the ways they have wrapped their arms around me and accepted me for who I am gives me courage to keep moving, growing, and expressing love.

With whom will you express you love today?