When it comes to love, the Bible said it best:
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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7New International Version (NIV)
But it would be a bit of a cop out to end things there, I suppose. Especially as I am writing today as part of a blog link up.
Love. I'm pretty loved up right now yet I haven't felt compelled to heed the V Day siren call of practically every retailer and restaurateur across the land and beyond the seas. I'll try and describe it the best I can.
It's a love that brings a warm feeling in your chest and a calmness to your nerves as you look up at a corner of your house and find that the sight immediately brings back memories of your family.
It's a love that makes your heart swell with pride when you see your child helping others and treating with with warmth, respect and thoughtfulness.
It's a love of yourself. That you're enough. That you have enough. Both for yourself and those that matter deeply to you.
It's a love that sets you free to do what brings you joy. To travel, to write, to work, to dress, to shop, to run, to think, to make and to eat. To live according to your faith and moral compass.
It's a love that nourishes, comforts, strengthens and improves with time. It accumulates with repeated exposure.
And then there's that 'other' love.
Which might begin with attention being caught quite unexpectedly across a room full of irrelevant other people. Numbers might be eventually exchanged. Which could lead to coffee. And then dinner. Followed by flowers, romantic getaways and and shared special moments. All in a heart racing and breathtakingly quick succession.
Romance. Finding it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time and that suits me just fine.
I like the definition of Romance at the end....And the heartshaped tomato!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lydia. I almost couldn't bring myself to eat that tomato...
DeleteSSG xxx
Beautiful, SSG xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear C.
DeleteSSG xxx
Thankfully I have friends and family I love and who love me back in some form... but I've kinda missed out on that romantic love which saddens me a little. Other than my mum (who I know feels this way), I can't imagine what's it like to be one of the most important people in someone's life...
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
DeleteI think it's a beautiful thing that we can all love and be loved in so many ways. Yes, romance would be lovely but until it happens, there's all that other love to give and receive.
SSG xxx
Perfectly said SSG! I loved all of your images especially the heart shaped tomato. Love is not just romantic but as you say love of family, friends and also yourself. Have a Loving Week! Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves that tomato, Sue!! Much more practical and tasty than a dozen roses, I say!
DeleteSSG xxx
A lovely post to read on a beautiful fresh Monday morning! Best wishes, Pammie
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment, Pammie!
DeleteSSG xxx
Ahhh yes, love and romance - same same yet very different. And that Corinthians passage nails it.
ReplyDeleteIt's taken me this long to value and appreciate each for their differences, Jo! The passage from the Bible I quoted is one of my favourites.
DeleteSSG xxx
What a great post. I LOVE (see what I did there) how you see love sneaking up on you in the corner of the house or the gentle action of a child. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSSG xxx
Hubby and I will be celebrating Valentine's Day with our three daughters, at home. I plan to make a nice dinner and dessert. I don't expect any gifts. I just came home from the shops not long ago and most of the shops had Valentine's displays in the windows!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to spend the day!
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day to your beautiful family.
SSG xxx
What a beautiful post about LOVE. You and I were on the same wavelength with the biblical verse. Many thanks for this reminder of all that LOVE is. Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 7/52. Next Week: A Pet Story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denyse. V Day isn't 'my thing' but I am grateful that your prompt this week made me think about love and what it means to me at this point in my life.
DeleteBut next week!?!? I don't have a pet... Hmmmm...
SSG xxx
Very well written. And it's not a card and box of chocolates.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna. It's funny how when I was younger, V Day was just all that - the cards and the gloriously garish gifts!
DeleteSSG xxx
I hope you have a lovely Valentine's day SSG! :) And I know what you mean about that swell of love when you see your kid doing something sweet and kind :)
ReplyDeleteLove is definitely not a single sensation.
Away From The Blue Blog
Thank you, Mica. Wishing you a day full of love with your boys. Thinking of the littlest one and praying that all is well with him too.
DeleteSSG xxx
This is my favorite blog from you so far! Love is something that should be shown and around with us everyday. I was never a big fan of Valentine's day because it has gotten materialistic for my taste. Why wait day, when you have the entire year?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Tracie! There's the other 364 days of the year to show your love.
DeleteSSG xxx
You a such a clever girl. I loved this.
ReplyDelete