Insights on Love

February is considered to be a love month because of the celebration of Valentine’s Day on the 14th of the month. On Valentine’s Day flowers and chocolates become significant symbols of love as men lavishly gave it to women. Restaurants are even very busy attending to couples who are on dates that day. During Valentine’s Day couples usually celebrate by dating, those men who are courting women are busy planning a surprise and children give valentines card to their parents. It seems that love is on the air every Valentine’s Day.

But, actually, what is really love? Every person has different description of what love is. Wikipedia.org. describes love as a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that ranges from interpersonal affection (“I love my mother”) to pleasure (“I loved that meal”). It can refer to an emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment. It can also be a virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection—”the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.” It may also describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, one’s self or animals. On the other hand, the Bible has also different views about love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 it says “Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.” Another thoughts on love in the scripture is found in 1John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another because love comes from God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Indeed, God is love and He showed to us the greatest love of all in John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” But how should we reciprocate God’s love to us? As for me, I can show my love to God by trying to follow His commands and by giving love and care to my family and also by serving those who are in need. All of which are so easy to say but hard to do.

After our love to God, nothing should take greater priority than our love for our spouse and family. As Bo Sanchez said in one of his e-newsletter, “your relationships are just like plants. You need to water them daily or they die. For relationship, their water is love. If you don’t give relationship enough time or attention or respect, or kindness – all of which are expressions of love- they too will die. Happy relationships don’t just happen. You make them happen by deliberately nurturing them.”

Lastly, here’s another insights on love given by Linda and Richard Eyre in their book Teaching Your Children Values that says “first, we learn to love by serving others. Second, we learn to love by being loved unconditionally. Furthermore, they say that we may not always love those who serve us. Their love, depending on how it is given, can spoil us, or intimidate us, or even antagonize us. But unconditional, understanding, fully accepting love warms us without reservation and brings about our reciprocal love. And while we may not necessarily love those who serve us, we will love those whom we serve.” (Bing Orbeta-Robles)