Been thinkin...

[BobHunt]

today about love. What it is. How it acts. If everyone has it or not.
The last student who was shot on Northern Illinois Universitys campus on Feb 14 (Valentines Day) came home from the hospital today. She still has a bullet lodged inside her body.
Her boyfriend of 2 months shielded her body from the shooter, taking a fatal bullet himself. She did take a bullet but will make a full recovery.
The night before, her boyfriend went out and bought her a silver necklace for Valentines Day. For two or three days after the tragedy, she received gifts from her boyfriend (via mail?) which has been previously sent. She wonders now what was going through his mind.
This boyfriend also called his sister and asked her what she would be doing on Valentines Day. Thats the last time she talked to her brother.
This is the backdrop of my thoughts on love. Where have I read that real friends will lay down their life if they have to? Seems to me that this gentleman did that. What kindness he had to his own family as well.
Love is not shallow, is not selfish. It is loving a person even when they misunderstand you and praying for them. Love is not getting even, Love is not gossiping, love is preferring others above yourself, love often requires sacrifice.
Sometimes we are asked how does love act? Sometimes in a marriage love is taking care of your sick spouse. Sometimes its a word of encouragement, an arm around the shoulder, a "honey, scratch my back right there" moment. Sometimes it might be "honey bring me some aspirin with a glass of milk" moment. Sometimes its putting windshield washer fluid in their car so they can see to drive home from work. Little things come out of real love. Im sure you could add a myriad of other items.
You see, our secular world's definition of love is wrong. Because of that, our world is in trouble. Their definition of love might be purely physical, a one night affair, a marriage for money, or a job security. I wonder what would happen if all of us really took a hard look at what we think love is!
Thanks for viewing! I hope this is not just rambling....

[Genevieve Boller]

When you say something that cuts me to the bone and instead of responding the way I feel like responding--I respond kindly, giving you the benefit of the doubt.

When you're hungry and had a bad day and take it out on me--I give you a hug instead of telling you to shove it.

When you cut me off in traffic and then throw me an obscene gesture, and by the look on your face I can see that you're incredibly angry and probably cursing at me--I say a quick prayer for you.

When you tell me you're hungry and I have a granola bar I was just about to eat because I myself am starving--I give it to you and let my own hunger go.

When I'm sick and don't feel like dealing with anyone or anybody, and you call me, wanting to connect and "just talk"--I talk to you and let you share what's happening in your life.

When you've gotten yourself into yet another mess of your own making, for the umpteenth time--I listen and try to help you through it, refraining from telling you how badly you screwed up, and fight the urge to say "I told you!" even though it's sooooo hard for me not to.

There are so many examples like this, but it has taken me years to UNlearn the way I learned to treat people when I was younger...

For me the greatest demonstration of love is loving (and forgiving) when I don't feel like loving at all. That is something that's very difficult in a society that rewards the "look out for number one" attitude. That is when being, and acting like, a true Christian really is counter-cultural.

[Ian Gentles]

Love reaches out, sacrifices itself, even for the unlovable, as all need love.

[BobHunt]

Seems now they say that each cold white snowflake is formed around a small particle of bacteria. We see a blanket of white snow and it seems so pure, unspoiled by man's touch, makes everything look new; when in reality it is bacteria particles piled up.
Made me think about the enemy of our souls and how he trys to make sin look appealing, like its not so bad, like its only a small sin, when all the time it is one small step that leads to more big steps away from Gods ways.