The morning breeze wakes me to a cold and drab morning. The sky, dark and brooding, seems to reflect a solemn, bitter sadness as the sun has still yet to show its radiant head.
I climb (literally) out of bed and find myself looking forward to today, despite the somber and somewhat bleak tone of the day. I guess the sky found itself reflecting the countless number of those who are swaddling themselves with the self-pity of singleness. It is Singles Awareness Day. At least thats what all the tweets and status updates on people's timelines are declaring.
Single Awareness Day.
People make it sound so alone, so bleak... so... well... sad.
Personally, I am not one who is into celebrating Valentine's day. Please don't get me wrong. I don't hate it. I am not embittered to it. I am not telling you to stop! I just don't see the need to go with the flow of the throng of people purchasing overpriced flowers; battling through traffic and being extra caring and loving today while lining up with other couples to go eat dinner at a resto or hotel.
No. I am not nursing some hidden pain of rejection. I am not annually re-living some traumatic experience on the 14th of February.
I just don't see the point of expressing one's love on just one day. Okay, okay... I get it. Today is a special day to express your love.
Congratulations to Media and Marketing leaving it's mark on culture right there.
I guess that statement begs the question, should there be a special day to express one's love? I mean, if you truly love your spouse or partner, shouldn't it be that everyday is an expression of love and thankfulness for that person in your life?
It is romantic to go out of one's way and do something special once in awhile. I totally agree with it. In fact, it should be more often than just once a year (or twice in the event that you celebrate your anniversary). It sure is nice to express your appreciation and love for a person by treating them out to dinner; buying flowers and what not.
But how about the everyday expressions of love?
Like Respect.
Trust.
Forgiveness.
Acceptance.
Grace.
Mercy.
Humility.
Selflessness.
How many of us are supportive of our spouse's (or partner's) endeavors even when it really isn't "our thing"? (of course this is assuming it isn't illegal).
How many of us express our appreciation and thankfulness of the sacrifices they make for us? How many of us even acknowledge those sacrifices? How many of will give way when we don't get what we want? How many of us are quick to listen, but slow to speak; most specially when we are in disagreement with each other? How many of us choose to actually make ourselves better people, not because they nag us about it, but because we realize that they deserve a better me? How many of us will not tolerate the wrong done, but be quick to forgive and restore the other person into a relationship with us without first condemning? How many of us provide a relationship that our spouses (or partners) feel safe to share their failings and shortcomings with us without fear of being judged and spurned?
How many of us even love our own family this way?
It is hard to give what you don't have. It is hard to love in a manner you've never been loved before. It's not impossible. It's just really really reeeeaaaaaaallllyyyyy difficult. In all honesty, to love like that is next to impossible on our own. Yet, we are being loved that way. The question is do we realize it? Do we acknowledge it? Or are we too focused on our needs, on our wants, on our hangups to realize it?
Love isn't some single surface thing. It's multifaceted. I find that Love is a collective term for a myriad of selfless aspects and traits. It isn't just some surface expression. With the danger of over simplification, I would like to believe that true love is a reflection of what real life should be.
That is the kind of love Christ has given us.
Selfless, not selfish.
Humble, not proud.
Forgiving, not condemning.
Abounding in Mercy and Grace.
Trusting us to remain faithful, and when we don't, He is there to restore our relationship with Him.
It builds people up, it doesn't tear them down.
It rejoices in their success and encourages us to persevere when the pursuit becomes difficult.
It accepts us for who we are. It doesn't force us to change. It creates the environment for us to choose to change.
Hey, I'm not saying I got it all pat down. God knows how much I struggle with the areas of love myself. You see, love isn't just one sweet, romantic feeling. Love isn't that electrifying moment when your eyes meet or that feeling when you finally kiss for the first time. True love isn't selfish. It doesn't force itself on others. The definition and perspective of love that has creeped into our culture is a selfish, self-satiating kind of love. Media and Marketing aren't the only ones to blame. It is a failing of ourselves as well. We have focused more on what we can get and what we want more than focusing on what others need and what we are capable of giving.
Because honestly, we've been given much. We just find ourselves voluntarily blind to it. Jesus has offered to take of the blinds, though. Will you let Him?
May you feel the love that God truly has sacrificed so much to give you. May you find love, not only in the outward expressions that this world dictates as love, but may you find it in the depths of your soul, reverberating in your spirit and reflected in the life you live. May you truly find love. And love others with the same love you have found.
-M-