Erin on Love

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Hello She Smiles, She Writes readers!

When Ashley asked me guest post on love for Valentines Day {week}, I was like WHAT?!

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that I have recently come out of a four and a half year relationship. What could I write about love?! 

Well, it got me thinking about love in general...

What does it mean to love?

How are we to love?

What does love look like?

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Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres. Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

     These verses are like music to my ears, joy for my soul, and happiness to my heart. They are words that I have heard time and time again...which can often times lead to a quick memorization and a lack of application. I think we are all very familiar with this representation of love....but are we reflecting on what we hear and applying it to our lives and relationships?

Love is patient....

    Love requires patience. There are going to be times that we are irritated, times that we do not agree, do not want to listen, do not want to wait. However, God wants us to take a step back from ourselves, a step back from our own thoughts, reactions, and feelings. Perhaps we want to see something different from our spouse, significant other, friend, whomever it may be. Perhaps we want them to change or apologize, show understanding, empathy, or forgiveness. God tells us to be patient and wait with love. 

Love is kind...

    Love requires us to look at the feelings of one another. We need to understand that regardless of how we may be feeling, we need to remember that kinds words are what God wants us to show unto one another. Even when we are madder than heck and want to say exactly what is on our mind...remember...be kind. Show love, not war.  

It does not envy. It does not boast... 

   If we are down, we may need the other person to lift us up and to be there with comfort and support. If things are not going the way we may want them for ourselves, we cannot be envious of our other half. We need to remember that our encouragement and support is vital, even when we ourselves may not be in as good a place as the other person. We need to have a selfless love. Likewise, if we are the one that has everything going exactly the way we want it to, we need to remember that our other halves are needing some love and encouragement. Love is a partnership. Both need to be encouraged and both need to be loved. 

It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking...

     When times of hardships come and the fights ensue, we need to look out for the best interest of both people. We cannot be too proud to realize we are wrong, too proud to apologize, too proud to show mercy or grace. We cannot treat one another rudely, but need to always speak with kind words and gentle tones. When we enter into difficult situations, we cannot look through our own ideal lenses. We need to look through the lens of love...to know what is best for both people. We cannot be looking for the solution that will be best for ourselves. We need to be looking out for one another. 

It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs...

     We need to be quick to show mercy and grace. We need to realize that we are both imperfect. There will be times that we hurt one another, when we think about ourselves instead of the other person. Times that we do not show kindness, understanding, or love. We need to enter into each situation with a forgiving heart. We cannot hold grudges, look to retaliate, or try to inflict pain on one another. We need to not only forgive, but also start forgetting.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth....

     We are sinful at heart. We are going to mess up and fail one another. We need to be aware of the evil that surrounds us each and every day. Satan is at constant work in our lives, trying to get us to do evil. Ask God for the strength to overcome the temptations that lie in our paths. Speak the truth, speak with kindness, speak with love. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...

      This is my favorite part of this verse. It is a reflection of how God loves us. He is always protecting us, always trusting us, always hopeful of us, never giving up on us, and His love never fail us. This is love. God wants us to take the love he shows unto us and love one another with that same love. A love that never stops working, never stops believing. One that never fails. 

Love.

What an amazing gift from God.

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You know what's hot?

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Can't wait to find mine!

Happy Valentines Day ladies!

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Thank you Ashley for letting me share my heart today!

You can check out my blog HERE.