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Saturday, January 15, 2011

There is no such thing

As love. Well, I mean that holding your hand is just the greatest thing ever and that is how I know, that I've never felt this way about someone before and this must be it, I've seen it in a movie, people talk about it all the time, soul mates, can't live without each other, it is like a dream, a gooey, mushy, sweet, fuzzy dream.

Disagree? I will know how it feels when it happens to me, right? Nope. Been there, done that. It's not real. Okay, so it might be real, those feelings are real. But they are not real love.

I bought into it. Bought into the Let's date-fall in love-how do I know I'm in love?-I just know.

What was I thinking? I was thinking that what I felt was love. But really all I was feeling was a general fondness, a liking, an attraction, an interest. We can and do feel those things all the time. Some of them in stronger ways with certain people than others. Where I went wrong was that I thought that meant we should date. We should "fall in love" because that is what people do.

Again, what WAS I thinking? Well, I wasn't. Maybe this doesn't sound so crazy to you. Maybe you think this is how love works. I'm convinced it is not. The Bible doesn't even talk about this kind of love, that is why it doesn't exist. Love exists only through God - 1 John 3:16 "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our life for the brothers."

Okay, why am I quoting this Scripture here, it clearly is not talking about relationship/dating/marriage love. I write it because this is love. It is time to realize that love was never about feelings, it has always been action. It has always been sacrifice. It has always been selfless giving.

I'd love to go on and on about this topic, and I'll finish this thought another time. I must go to work. Sorry if I sound cynical, I'm really only speaking to myself here. Realizing this last year was the most refreshing, beautiful truth I learned - because I have been able to experience what real love (found in and through God) really is. More later.

5 comments:

Donna Boucher said...

We can not help being a part of our culture. Romantice love is huge pull in our culture. Do not be so hard on yourself, dear Emma.

A teachable spirit is a beautiful thing before the Lord.
You are learning about how God loves. How God wants you to love. What God calls love.

You wouldn't be here...ready to learn... if you hadn't been....there.

Elizabeth Elliot's dad told his boys not to say I love you until you were ready to say, Will you marry me? Don't you wish we could all have had such wise parents.

But then there is the matter of...listening to them. ;o)

Lady Modesty said...

Hello Emma,

My eldest daughter and I have been sitting here for a while now enjoying reading your blog. But if you knew us, this may seem quite odd.

Reason being: We enjoy blogs with pictures - pictures, you do not have; we enjoy humorous blogs - humor, there is almost none; we enjoy blogs which share our Faith - Faith, we do not share.

HOWEVER, your writing is humble, honest and innocent. You are truly striving for Heaven which is rare in the times we live in. Your writing is similar to the holy men and women who have gone before us. In my Faith, we call them saints.

With time will come the answers you so ardently desire. He knows you, He hears you and He loves you.

I leave you with this: "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord." -Saint Augustine

May your happiness know no bounds.

Sincerely,
Lady M

Suzie said...

You are wise beyond your years. I hope my daughters grow up to be like you.

Emma Franklin said...

Lady M, thank you so much for your beautiful words. They greatly encouraged me. You are right, answers will come, and even a restless heart has peace and rest in Him.

Unknown said...

I don't remember being this wise when I was in college.
Or even still : )

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