by Susan Lower

Created on: May 18, 2008

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

There is no greater love than described above. Some of us search our entire lives for a love so true as this. Some of us find it, breech the gates, and graciously return it. Some of us are blinded from finding it. On their journey they become lost in a world full of envy, rudeness, and self-seeking advancements of man-kind. Then again, some of us, haven't figured out how to take our blinders off and can still only see straight ahead. But, at least, they are willing to take it on - head on.

Love should not cost you a dime. It is a gift, freely given, to those you wish to share it. Many times we shower those we love with piles of gifts. It is when we expect something back in return of those gifts that we haven't truelly understood the meaning of true love.

Love is patient, it waits through the trials of time. Today too many of our young people rush into romantic relationships because they are too afraid of being alone. Nobody wants to be the old maid, or the grumpy old man with no one to care for them, to love them. But, unfortunately, a lot of times, we mistake one night of "togetherness" as love. Wake up, before it's too late. Love, true love, is more than spent passion.

Love is kind, it's never rude. It doesn't call you at 3a.m.to tell you, you look miserable. It never belittles you, or takes advantage of a bad day. Love is soft spoken words, cute notes in your lunch, and a hug at the end of the day. A shoulder to rest your head, and a ear to listen to what you have to say, that is true love.

Love is not envious, boastful, or proud. It simply is - love. It doesn't dress up in disquise. It doesn't pull out a wallet full of pictures. It doesn't sit up on your shelf in your trophy cabnet. It accepts there are flaws in everyone's design. It embraces who you are and encourages you to go far. Love from within, shares in your delights and downfalls, it lifts you up,and twirls you around. Love gives even when you don't feel like giving anymore.

Love, when knocked down, gets upset, but never angry. Words are expressed, feelings shared, and lips locked without shouting. Debates issued, differences resolved, and couples reconciled. There are no scoreboards, no charts, or records in the relationship of true love.

Love holds no secrets, no strong boxes left locked. There are no deceiptions or deviations of flight plans. Love knows all, sees all, hears all, can be all things. There are no walls built between the boundries of man and wife. There are no boundries when two people become one in wedlock.

When true love exists it builds a tent, it protects, and it shelters the innocent. Children are never harmed by seperating parents, because marriage like true love is sacared. Homes are built on solid foundations made from the purest extracts affection. Familys are blossomed under the protection of God's truth taught inside their homes.

Love brings hope when their is only despair. Love does not give up on first attempt. It does not fail. Love never fails. Love regroups, reconnects, reshapes, into something stronger, larger, more intimate then before. Love, true love, is everlasting.

If only we didn't live in a world of reality....

When we love someone, more than ourselves, more than any possession on earth, then, and only then, do we know what true love really is.

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