Photo Credit: Ashley Rose/Creative Commons
The thing about love is it’s just so unpredictable. We toss the word around casually, as if the word itself gives credence to the emotion.
The biblical definition (1st Corinthians 13) is watered down to resemble a pitiful interpretation of what God intended. We’ve made the word commonplace. A sham. A poor substitute for lack of a more accurate descriptor.
For example:
I love Junior Mints. (Yes. I do. Like. Them. But love? Are Junior Mints really patient? Kind? How about long-suffering? Um… My waistline doesn’t think so.)
I love a good sale. (Yep. Guilty. I’ve said that one, too. But does 50% off paint an accurate picture of keeps no record of wrongs? I mean, I think it’s kind of wrong to jack a price up, drop it 10%, and then tout it as a sale. And then I fall for that gimmick–more than once. Don’t we all?)
I love writing. (Mmm hmm. A subject near and dear to my heart. A staple in any writer’s world. But maybe the better thing to say is “Writing invigorates me.” I suppose–because I’m a writer–that sounds too stilted. It’s easier to substitute the word “love” and folks accept it as a given because the word is overused so darn much.)
And then there’s the new trend. The tendency to use “love” as an antonym in a playful show of rebellion.
I love root canals. (A thought. Ever had one?)
I love the way public restrooms smell. (Raise your hand if you’re with me.)
I love the carcinogens that are complimentary with our processed lunch meat. (Especially the ones they actually tell us about.)
And I love buying new shoes and stepping in gum or something else equally delightful. (It adds a touch of energy to the day.)
I could go on, but you get the picture.
I’m guilty. Of all of it.
As I journey through life, writing, and communion with God, I’ve vowed to be “real.” Being authentic eliminates the need for facades. It removes the stress of “which mask should I wear today?”
Of course, being “real” doesn’t negate good manners. And it doesn’t mean we air all our transgressions publicly either. Authenticity boiled down to the bare bones is love during the good, the bad, and the ugly. Love is the purest form of God-breathed gold in a world complicated by double meanings and unintentional slights.
You might as well know. I’m fallible. I fall short. Sometimes, I miss the mark entirely.
But today I’m going to tell you the truth. And I’m going to say it in a direct, unpretentious way because it’s the only way I know how.
I love you.
I have a heart for like-minded believers. The torch-bearers. The faithful. The courageous. My fellow champions of the Cause.
Perhaps, more importantly, I have a heart for the hurting. The hopeless. The unsaved. The unloved. The ones who question motivation amidst chaos.
I’m challenging myself this week.
I’m resolving to love more intentionally.
When I use the word, folks should know I mean business.
Liking Junior Mints is my new normal.
Loving humanity is my truth.
******
Please share. In what ways do you show love?
“How” has someone loved you?
Photo Credit: Ashley Rose/Creative Commons
Blessings Always,
Comments 8
I find this to be true of many words. Like awesome. Everything is “awesome” so when I use that word to describe God, it loses some of it’s meaning. I’m stilling guilty of using it often. Habits are hard to break. But I get what you’re saying.
I love you, too. I really do. 🙂
Author
Jess, thank you! And I agree about “habits.” Difficult to break, but I’m vowing to try! I expect you to call me on it. 🙂
I tell as many people as I can that I love them without crossing boundaries with men. I do that because I have known the 1 Cor.13 meaning of love now for awhile and to me when I say those words it’s a commitment to really love them in Christ. Not everyone recieves it that way, but I say it none the less and I will allow my actions to follow my words!
Author
Leslie, it’s evident that you have a heart for Christ and I know that your loving spirit touches the lives of so many. I think we should embrace every opportunity to show love and share Jesus!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ok, the challenge is on. I, too, shall try to find different words to describe all the things I “love.”
Author
Patti, I fell off the wagon today for a moment. I was expressing my strong sentiment for chocolate! LOL
Jess’s comment made me laugh because when I studied in London, British friends made fun of how often we said “awesome.” And oh yeah, I totally overuse love. I find myself saying things like, “No, I mean really love-LOVE…” when I’m trying to get across that I totally, seriously, crazily love something because I overuse love in regular conversation so much. 🙂
When I read your question “how has someone loved you?” I immediately thought of my parents. They have loved me in so many practical ways…and so many emotional ways…they’ve always supported and encouraged my dreams…and they’ve sacrificed for me. I know that for certain. And I hope I never, ever slip into taking them for granted.
Author
Melissa, you made me smile. I feel the same way about my parents, too! I love them. I truly do!
I think we’re all guilty of changing the context of our words sometimes. It’s a habit that’s difficult to break, but I’m pledging to do better at it! (I like your answer to the problem… “No, I mean really love LOVE.”)