Real Love

I looked up the word love in the dictionary and this is what I found:



1- a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
2- a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection
3- sexual passion or desire
4- a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person
5- used in a direct address as in term of endearment, affection, or the like
6- a love affair
7- copulation
8- a personification of sexual affection
9- affectionate concern for the well being of others
10- strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking of anything
11- the object or thing so liked
12- the benevolent affection of God for His creatures
13- a score of nothing or zero as in tennis


Is it just me or is it odd for the real definition of love does not make the list until number 12??!!Jesus gave us the perfect example to follow in subject of real love. The ONLY way we can love is through Him.



Love. In the day in which we live, this word is thrown around and often used when the feeling that is felt is anything but real love. Most of the definitions above are Hollywood's definition of love. Real love is anything but what Hollywood portrays. It is putting the other one needs before your own. It is not always a romantic love, but it is always a giving love. The old saying "you can give without loving, but you can't love without giving" is so true. Sometimes real love is a choice. Some days you don't feel like you love, so you have to choose to love. True love always begins with a decision and maintained by decisions. We may start off with attraction, but attraction is not love. It may initiate a relationship, but it will not sustain. it. Just look at most Hollywood romances. They "love" when they really mean "until the next one comes along." I love to hear my husband tell me he loves me, but what means the most is when he shows me he loves me. When we truly love someone, it manifests itself in giving. Real love does not depend on feelings, moods, or emotions because these change can change from day to day or even hour to hour. It is deeply rooted in a decision to love, no matter what. No matter if it is reciprocated or not. Whether it is deserved or not. All loving relationships grow out of sacrifice. Putting the other one first- even if you don't feel like it. When you feel like it is not fair. When you feel like it is not appreciated. Selfishness is the greatest enemy to real love and will destroy a relationship. Selfish love can be destroyed when our expectations are not met or when things get tough. Selfless love on the other hand can not be destroyed. When you love this way, you give without any expectations. You love in spite of ever thing.




Real love does not always produce a bouquet of flowers or that perfect birthday gift. Sometimes it comes in the form of a spouse holding your hand as you bury a parent or when they pamper you when you are sick. It is when your spouse tells you to sleep in while he watches the kids. It is sometimes shown when they work the kind of hours that nobody would choose to work. The sad thing is most of these everyday occurrences are lost in the day to day rush of life with no thought as to what drives a person to do them. The romantic meals and nice gifts are really just the icing on the cake - that is not what real love is all about. Sadly, some think if they aren't receiving the kinds of gifts that show "love' then they don't feel loved. This is a selfish love. I have to admit, the few times my husband has had flowers delivered at work, I was happy and proud to show them off. Having the girls ooh and ahh over how sweet my husband was made me proud. I just don't want to measure how much my husband loves me by that.


I loved my husband when I said "I do" almost 29 years ago . I can honestly say I love my husband more today than I did back then. Or maybe I just understand real love better.



Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.
I John 4:11