Love

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.  Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." 1Corinthians 13:4-8

Do you know what it means to love unconditionally?   Love - no strings attached.  The true kind.   When you say to someone "I love you" do you mean it?  Or are there conditions?  I will love you if...; I love you but....; I'll love you more when..... A very good friend of mine said to me just today, "That's not love, that's a bargaining chip."  There are no conditions when it comes to love.  There can't be.  Otherwise,  you will never feel like you live up.  You will be wearing yourself out trying to prove that you are worthy, and that's not right.  Everyone is worthy of love,no matter what, period.  We are fearfully and wonderfully created in God's image and He wants us to love each other, truly deeply and honestly.  No strings attached, because that is how He loves each of us.  Isn't that cool?  I think so.

When my friend says to me "I love you."  I know it is heartfelt and true.  I have no doubts.  It is such an uplifting feeling to know you are loved like that.  It makes me want to be a better person and return that love not only to my friend but to others as well.  I told my friend that I had never experienced that kind of love before and that I was incredibly touched by her thoughtful words and actions.  Truth be told the whole conversation overwhelmed me to the point of tears after I left her today.  She has been incredibly kind to Kaysie and I and I am humbled by the unconditional love she has shown us.

I would like to encourage you, my readers, to think about how you love others and yourself.  Do you place limits or conditions on your love, or do you love deeply, honestly and completely, without constraints?  The next time you say "I love you" to someone, let it come from your heart, fully and honestly.  It will mean so much more to you.  I promise.