In Celebration of Love
If middle school was a blender full of hormones, Valentine's Day would be the crazy guy that forgot to put the lid on before flipping the switch.
It is fairly safe to say that Valentine's Day in middle school was a disaster. Middle schoolers are at that awkward "in-between" age-- too old for the store-bought valentines and decorated bags of their elementary school years, but not quite old enough to... well... date.
I hated Valentine's when I was in middle school. It was a yearly reminder of the fact I was CERTAIN of: I was the only girl in all of Carmel Middle School who had never had a boyfriend. (This fact was considerably less than true, but it really made no difference at the time.)
It's sad that today our culture never really asks us to mature beyond that point. In a way, we never outgrow that middle school mentality of "falling in love." Sure, it changes slightly when we get a driver's license and cash, but at its root, our version of love is still the same, twisted view.
I feel bad for Christian couples about to get married. Over and over again, they hear the same verse: "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud..." and on and on. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against what Paul is saying here. I just wish we hadn't worn his words out and chosen to believe they only apply to our narrow-minded view of love.
You see, love is patient... even when your little brother won't leave you and your friend alone.
Love is kind... even to that kid at school who is always intentionally getting under your skin.
Love does not envy... even when you're single and it seems everyone around you is happily paired off.
Love does not boast... even when you truly have done better than everyone else, and think you need a little self-esteem booster.
Love is not proud... even when it means biting your tongue or admitting you messed up.
Love isn't about hearts and chocolate and flowers. It's about the daily grind-- getting up and going through it all again. It's about the broken people all around us who have wounds they believe can never be healed. Most of all, it's about a God, who has pursued mankind from the moment He created them, and who chases us to the ends of the earth even still, determined to win us back.
And whether you're feeling dreamy, bitter, or indifferent today, that is a fact worth celebrating.
It is fairly safe to say that Valentine's Day in middle school was a disaster. Middle schoolers are at that awkward "in-between" age-- too old for the store-bought valentines and decorated bags of their elementary school years, but not quite old enough to... well... date.
I hated Valentine's when I was in middle school. It was a yearly reminder of the fact I was CERTAIN of: I was the only girl in all of Carmel Middle School who had never had a boyfriend. (This fact was considerably less than true, but it really made no difference at the time.)
It's sad that today our culture never really asks us to mature beyond that point. In a way, we never outgrow that middle school mentality of "falling in love." Sure, it changes slightly when we get a driver's license and cash, but at its root, our version of love is still the same, twisted view.
I feel bad for Christian couples about to get married. Over and over again, they hear the same verse: "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud..." and on and on. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against what Paul is saying here. I just wish we hadn't worn his words out and chosen to believe they only apply to our narrow-minded view of love.
You see, love is patient... even when your little brother won't leave you and your friend alone.
Love is kind... even to that kid at school who is always intentionally getting under your skin.
Love does not envy... even when you're single and it seems everyone around you is happily paired off.
Love does not boast... even when you truly have done better than everyone else, and think you need a little self-esteem booster.
Love is not proud... even when it means biting your tongue or admitting you messed up.
Love isn't about hearts and chocolate and flowers. It's about the daily grind-- getting up and going through it all again. It's about the broken people all around us who have wounds they believe can never be healed. Most of all, it's about a God, who has pursued mankind from the moment He created them, and who chases us to the ends of the earth even still, determined to win us back.
And whether you're feeling dreamy, bitter, or indifferent today, that is a fact worth celebrating.
so good jessica!! thanks for writing. :)
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