This isn't love...

Hello, my sweet friends!

PSA: People who love you, don't hurt you. At least not intentionally. I'm going to jump right in with a reminder that 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a clear definition of love.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

At some point in our lives we all yearn for some form of love. Whether it's from our parents, through friendships and community or in an intimate relationship. I'm sure most of us can attest to accepting and giving love, wrongfully.

Personally, I can admit to having tolerated more than I should have especially when I know better. Love isn't as complicated as one may make it seem. It's pretty simple when we stick to the script. God's script. It's when we deviate from God's definition and characteristics that things become shaky.

I would like to challenge you all (including myself) to do a checks and balance in your life. Remove the word love and replace it with your name or the name of someone you believe loves you. How well does the description fit? What areas can you personally improve in?

I tried this and immediately had to pause and reconsider some of the ways I've shown & accepted "love". None of us are perfect, so I don't expect you to fit this definition 100%, but I do believe we should strive daily to give and receive real genuine love.

Song

Love x Kirk Franklin & God's Property

...love, a word that comes and goes. That few people really know, what it means to really love somebody...

XOXO,

Rhonda Nikole

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