True Love, aka Agape ("selfless love", greek) - A verb more than a noun. An action/commitment, not a feeling. True Love, though often associated with romance, is not always romantic...nor is it Romance in and of itself. True Love goes far beyond romance. In fact, it's more about friendship than romance. Roses and candlelight come and go; but a deep friendship can last a lifetime.
It isn't about fireworks or warm, fuzzy butterflies in your stomach. It's simply about knowing the best, the worst and the just-plain-weird about someone and sticking to them ANYWAY.
It can be between friends and family as well as lovers and soul-mates, and can be a life-long bond. True Love is unconditional, sacrificial and absolutely selfless, thinking of the other person's needs first and foremost. True Love is when no matter what - for better or worse, rich or poor, sickness or health, warm-fuzzies or no warm fuzzies - you commit to each other. True Love is willing to wait and respects boundaries. (See 1 Corinthians 13 for more information.)
Now how can you tell the difference between a glorified crush and the genuine thing?
Well, a crush (or a fleeting infatuation) has a tendency to focus on how the other person affects you, though you may not always be aware of it. It says "He makes ME feel special! He's the perfect guy for me, just think of all he'll do to make me feel good, he cares about me, I want him to stay with me, me me ME..."
Love is the exact opposite. It takes all the focus off of you and puts it on the other person. It says, "I want to make YOU feel special! I want to be there for you, I'll put my dreams away to help you fulfill yours, I want what's best for you, I want to stay by your side to encourage you because I care about you, you you YOU..."
When you think about Love, think FAMILY: Forget About Me. I Love You.
And if nothing else, remember this: Love is not a pretty, wispy, fluffy cloud of a feeling; something that floats happily along in calm, blue skies, only to be torn apart and scattered by an angry gust of wind eventually. True, genuine Love is a mountain - solid, unshakable, permanent; lasting through the storms of Summer and the snows of Winter; taking the beauty, the glory and the hardship that come with every season.
It isn't about fireworks or warm, fuzzy butterflies in your stomach. It's simply about knowing the best, the worst and the just-plain-weird about someone and sticking to them ANYWAY.
It can be between friends and family as well as lovers and soul-mates, and can be a life-long bond. True Love is unconditional, sacrificial and absolutely selfless, thinking of the other person's needs first and foremost. True Love is when no matter what - for better or worse, rich or poor, sickness or health, warm-fuzzies or no warm fuzzies - you commit to each other. True Love is willing to wait and respects boundaries. (See 1 Corinthians 13 for more information.)
Now how can you tell the difference between a glorified crush and the genuine thing?
Well, a crush (or a fleeting infatuation) has a tendency to focus on how the other person affects you, though you may not always be aware of it. It says "He makes ME feel special! He's the perfect guy for me, just think of all he'll do to make me feel good, he cares about me, I want him to stay with me, me me ME..."
Love is the exact opposite. It takes all the focus off of you and puts it on the other person. It says, "I want to make YOU feel special! I want to be there for you, I'll put my dreams away to help you fulfill yours, I want what's best for you, I want to stay by your side to encourage you because I care about you, you you YOU..."
When you think about Love, think FAMILY: Forget About Me. I Love You.
And if nothing else, remember this: Love is not a pretty, wispy, fluffy cloud of a feeling; something that floats happily along in calm, blue skies, only to be torn apart and scattered by an angry gust of wind eventually. True, genuine Love is a mountain - solid, unshakable, permanent; lasting through the storms of Summer and the snows of Winter; taking the beauty, the glory and the hardship that come with every season.