Love

What is love? 

Is it in an apology? 

Is it forgiveness? 

Is it a friendly hug? 

Is it a little note to brighten your day? 

Is it found in the words, “I love you”? 

Is it what you say?

Is it what you do?

Is it turning the other cheek? 

Is it being silent when you could fight back? 

Is it putting others first? 

Is it putting yourself last? 

Is it overlooking faults? 

Is it overlooking neglect? 

Is it overlooking abuse? 

Is it manipulating? 

Is it ignoring the hurt one more time?

Is it reciprocal? 

Is it a feeling? 

Is it a choice? 

Is it giving someone else the glory? 

Is it sometimes lonely? 

Is it sometimes angry? 

Is it punishment? 

Is it being firm? 

Is it honesty? 

Is it lying to make someone feel better? 

Is it a competition? 

Is it being in the background? 

Is it being right or wrong? 

Is it respect? 

Is it appeasement? 

Is it immortal?

Is it able to reach across oceans? 

Is it able to reach the neighbor across the street? 

Is it accident-proof? 

Is it reliable? 

Is it judgmental? 

Does it pick favorites? 

Is it sacrificial? 

Does it ignore personal needs? 

Does it leave room for selfishness? 

Is it picking sides? 

Does it have to be equal and fair? 

Is there justice in love?

Is it trustworthy?

Is it God?

Is it everywhere? 

Is it anywhere?

Is it fail-proof?

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, 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.  Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13

Do you love even if it keeps failing you?  When love fails you, you love, because there is hope in love.  The only person you can control is yourself, and you can continue to love as you are commanded, regardless of someone else loving you back or not.  If you love even when you are unloved, God will follow through.  But how long should you wait?  After God has watched love fail you for years, are you just not worth it to Him, or is it your time to Not turn your cheek, and to make someone aware of their failure?  Isn’t it better to be wronged, God says; but he also says he will come through, and he will give justice.  How many times do you let yourself be wronged, be hurt, be neglected, be overlooked, and still love and encourage that person, all the time ignoring your own needs?  What is God’s plan for you then?  Turn the other cheek, isn’t it better to be wronged, a man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is his glory to overlook an offense.  Love is one-sided sometimes.  Faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love, so you hope and you have faith which allows you to keep loving, even as it fails you one more time.