Looking for Love

(3 Minute Read)

By Heidi Schartner

He loves me. He loves me not.

Such an innocent childhood game. A giggle escapes if by chance your love is confirmed as you pick the petals off the flower. A quick switch of a daisy if the odds aren’t in your favour.

The older we get, the more challenging it becomes to determine if our love will be returned. As if it will always be left to chance… but with age comes wisdom. And soon we learn that love has nothing to do with luck or chance.

We learn that love involves commitment, effort and a true belief that it is a gift not only to receive, but a precious gift to give. That’s why a breakup hurts so badly. Our gift of love is a beautiful piece of ourselves. And it hurts when it’s not accepted… or no longer wanted. 

But wow. When love is returned it can be so incredibly reassuring and can become a firm foundation on which to build a relationship. But we are human. And we make mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes taint our view on what love really is.

So, what is love? Well, it isn’t roses and chocolate. (Although, I’d never say no to dark chocolate!)

Our heavenly Father teaches us so clearly what real love is.

We are to be patient and humble (Ephesians 4:2).

We are to do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Love also needs to be sincere (Romans 12:9).

Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Whew! That is a tall order on the best of days. Never mind the days when money is tight, toddles aren’t sleeping and teenagers are chasing ill-advised plans.

Except.

Except that when we lean on God, we are able to show true love. When we turn into Him, we turn away from our own selfish ways.

So yes, real love is a tall order but it is absolutely possible when God is the foundation on which you build the relationship.

A QUESTION FOR YOU:

What is your favourite Bible verse about love, and why"?

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Want more encouragement and inspiration? Click on the image below to access the registration page for “Still Anchored” Awesome KidMin Conference 2021, online March 12-13!