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 Love is a word used far too flippantly these days. Webster's
has many definitions for the word Love but of those, I think the most accurate
based on the original intention of this word is: 'unselfish loyal and
benevolent concern for the good of others' and 'strong affection for another
arising out of kinship or personal ties.' So when someone says, "I love that
movie!" or "I love chocolate," to me it cheapens the deep meaning of the word.
Another source for a deeper meaning of the word Love is the Bible. 1
Corinthians 13 is a passage popularly used in weddings and in The Message is
stated as:
'Love never gives up. Love cares
more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love
doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep
score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure
in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always
looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never
dies.'
I thought I "knew" what love meant. Of course I love my
husband, but is my love for him really the unconditional love spoken about in 1
Corinthians that 'Puts up with anything?' I don't think I can say that it is.
This love has boundaries that if crossed I'm not sure would remain.
I truly didn't know real, unconditional love until my
Micah. Even now as I ponder this, my eyes well up with tears because of the joy
and utter elation his life brings to mine. I love him so much that sometimes it
physically hurts. I hug him and my chest gets tight and a lump catches in my
throat and I can't breathe for a second. Yes there are times when I'm
frustrated and I know there will be times when I'll get angry and be
disappointed in him, but this love, I know it will never change. Because for
all of the anger and the disappointments, there will be joy and pride that
shines a thousands times brighter. I thank God everyday for the wonderful gift
of my son. I know I am so undeserving of the privilege to have care over his
precious life and never again will I take "Love" for granted.
I love you Micah, more than you could understand right now,
more than I even understand sometimes. And no matter what the future has for
us, mommy's arms and heart will always be spread open to accept you, hold you,
and love you.
images courtesy of geishaboy500 & Gustty via the creative commons license.
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