Love

People fall into it, are in it, say it, show it and write it, but what is this thing we call love?

Many people will have many definitions of love, what I have experienced in life has given me my definition of love and what it means to me.

To me love is an expression of a feeling through words and actions, it's an outward expression of an inner feeling.

As easy as we can "fall in love" we can also "fall out of love". To me love is like a beautiful log fire on a cold winters night, it is amazing while you tend the fire putting on fresh logs as needed, but if left alone it will just grow dimmer and cooler with the passing of time to finally go out.

When we love something or someone we need to tend to it, to nurture it, by doing so we keep the "love" strong, if left alone the "love" will diminish and fade and reach a point where it just goes out like that log fire.

As an action love does not keep record of the things that are done against us, it is kind, it doesn't easily get angry, it trusts, it uplifts, it is always hopeful, it protects, it rejoices in our successes and consoles us in times of trouble. It is honouring to others, it is patient with us and it works through the tough things. If we approach love in this way love will not go out like that log fire that is left alone but it will always be warm, inviting and draw us to it like the tended log fire.

Loving is not always easy because we are all human, we fail, we mess up, we speak too quickly, but if we understand what love is and what we need to do to keep it burning love will flourish.

As parents we owe it to our children to show them what real love is, how to treat it, how to tender it, so that they can recognize true love and can also keep the fire of love burning in their lives and relationships. It's our responsibility to the next generation to be good role models of what love really is...

How are you tending your "love" right now? Do you need to make some changes? To be more intentional about it? I know I do...