.This might sound cliché but, one day, it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to ask a few too many people whether they thought love is a choice or a feeling. My opinion did not matter. I wanted to know first-hand what other people thought and most importantly why. For the next three weeks, I proceeded to ask my co-workers, friends, and sometimes even strangers the million dollar question. I found it fascinating to learn what others thought regarding what love is, and at the end of the day, I really was just curious.
Today, I watched my dad come back from work, look at my mom with such love and tenderness, and ask her if there is anything she would want. My mom without hesitating said she wanted something sweet so my dad, being the master of crepes, went on to tell her it’d be his pleasure to make some for her. Seriously! I’m not even lying. Meanwhile, I just sat there in the corner while my jaw dropped. First of all, Mom! Where did you find this man?! Let’s flashback to four years ago when my mom first got diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, and, ever since then, her health has slowly declined. I have watched my dad care for my mother with such love and tenderness, always patient, always loving… so while the crepe story upstairs might seem random, let me tell you, it is not, because all of a sudden, it clicked. I won’t talk about my parents love story but, let’s just say they fell in love fairly quick, they had the “feeling”, you know butterflies and all. Picture this.. L.A. airport, a language barrier, same plane. How romantic is that? Anyways, the point is, ever since then, it has been a choice for them to love each other despite life's challenges and trials. And while they’re both two imperfect people… it got me thinking. So, as I thought of this today, it made me reflect on God’s perfect love for us. That while we were still sinners "For God loved the world so much that He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:6, NLT). God CHOSE to love us, so that we may live in eternity with him. Then again, 1 Corinthians 13:4 reads “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (NLT). As I read this, and reflected on God’s word, I found the answer to my curious question. WE are called to love everyone whether we feel it or not, our spouse, our friends, or the stranger walking by. And it is because He first loved us that we are able to love in such manner. How wonderful is that? That we have such a merciful and loving God that CHOSE us knowing how much we would continuously fall short. Yet, He chooses us over and over again. Such undeserving, yet perfect love. God has been teaching me in this season of my life to LOVE, to really love. Not just who I like or who I want, but everyone. For that is the greatest commandment. As a consequence, the more I reflect on this type of love, the more I realize how contradictory it is to what the world teaches today. Divorce is everywhere because life gets too complicated or how loving others mostly because they love us back has become the norm. I admit it, I’m very guilty of that too. Yet, we should desire and strive to love better because while “No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:1, NLT). My prayer is that as we reflect on God's love for us, we may also desire, to share and live a life that reflects His overflowing and ever present love. Love, Carolyne |