That's Not LOVE!
It seems the world has a very convoluted idea of the definition of love. We confess our love for one another in a relationship and make a commitment to love one another "till death do us part" if we go through a traditional wedding ceremony. We make a covenant to one another that our love will be deep and abiding for the rest of our lives.Then we say we "love" pizza. We "love" football. We "love" the beach. Yet if we have a bad experience with any of these "loves" we make a choice not to go eat that pizza again, or watch that football team again or change our vacation habits to the mountains rather than the beach. Our love of things, experiences and events is a shallow kind of love that seems to get confused with a much more lasting love of a relationship. Yet we toss that word "love" around like it's a frisbee. Carefree and easily undermined.Admittedly I can have a strong affinity to some foods and experiences, even a piece of art or a color. However, to equate that attraction and emotional draw to "love" seems to diminish the real meaning and depth of the word. My love for my husband or my children is a love that can't be broken by a day of chaos, misunderstanding or exhaustion. My love for a friend goes deeper than my love for a piece of chocolate cake (usually!) The true meaning of the word is to have a deep romantic or sexual relationship with a person. Trust me, I like a good piece of pizza but I'm not going to light candles and caress it or nurture it.I think it's time we put into perspective what that word "love" means in its truest sense. Perhaps we would be less likely to discard a relationship like we would a stale piece of chocolate cake or a losing sports team. Perhaps we would be more careful how we throw that word around and take more seriously the depth and commitment that being in love truly means. If you've forgotten the truest meaning of the word, pull out your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. That piece of scripture explains the depth and emotion behind the word...and will make you want to rephrase your "love" for that juicy steak at your favorite restaurant.