Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 A lot of people know this quote regardless of spiritual beliefs because its a quote used pretty often universally at weddings. I think because of that, we sometimes need gentle reminders that there are many different types of love. Love between a woman/man and their spouse, sure, but also love within a family or a friendship as well. Of course, none of us are able to practice unconditional love because we are only human and have emotions that can be easily swayed by an aggressive tone or terse reply. Something that I was reminded of tonight is that with any form of relationship, romantic or not, the point is to carry each other. This does not only mean supporting each other when theyre down because theyve lost their job or they need someone to lean on because they are sad, but also going the extra mile or miles it takes to meet them where they are when they are unable to meet you half way. When the other member of a relationship says something hurtful or is being stubborn, it is our duty to try to show them love, to reach for them and try to understand them as much as we can. And when sometimes we say something hurtful or we are being stubborn, they can then show their love by coming to us and going the extra mile(s) to meet us where we are and try to understand us. If a relationship consists of one party constantly giving 80% while the other is giving 20% -- or even 60% and 40%, for that matter -- to understand each other, then inevitably the 80% or 60% runner will end up tired and at some point it starts to feel like work or an obligation rather than out of love. We as members of whatever relationship we are in should take turns making up for each others mistakes and constantly look at what the other person might truly mean. If you are friends with someone (and I mean really friends with someone), are part of their family, or are romantically involved with someone, its because you have seen something in their soul that you are attracted to and have come to appreciate and love. When you feel offended by something that someone else does, perhaps the next best step would be to look at their soul that you fell in love with. The one that perhaps God showed to you. Would they really mean to say this and that in a hurtful way? What kind of person are they? Instead of jumping to say one thing or another because you are hurt by what you //think// they said or why you //think// they did what they did, why not stop to reconsider if you even think they are the type of person to say that to you in the first place? Remember all of the reasons why you love them and then ask yourself if they would really say that hurtful thing or do that offensive thing to you. I make this mistake all the time with my family members, and it is something that I have to constantly work on and remind myself. My parents are the most supportive, loving people I know and are always there for me even if I might think theyre saying something aggressively towards me, most of the time theyre just worried about my well being. We dont know what their thought process is, so instead of assuming why they said this or that, we should take the time to ask and listen. In todays society we are quick to react, quick to judge, and quick to get mad. But in that fast-paced environment, we lose our relationships and intimacy with one another. But we have to go against the grind of this society. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19 Mom, Dad, Kuya, Ate, LD, SungOne, Samuraiz, Lions, Arush, RoC, all of you with whom I am so close with: Im sorry if Ive ever offended you with my assumptions or the way that I speak and know that I truly love you and am working on my relationship with each and every one of you to treat you and treasure you the way that I want to.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 09:27:42 +0000
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