What I Learned from Love
February 7, 2009 by Lillie
photo credit: karen horton
The theme of the February What I Learned From … group writing project at Middle Zone Musings is love.
My first experience with love was the love shown to me and my siblings by our parents. They never had much money, but they always showed their love in countless ways. My father was a gentle man who seldom raised his voice or lost his temper. Yet I remember one occasion when he yelled at my mother in anger because she bought him a couple of pairs of blue jeans for Christmas. It didn’t matter that he didn’t own a decent pair of jeans, which were what he wore all the time except for church. Daddy was upset because Mama spent money on him when he wanted every penny they could spend on Christmas to go for gifts for the kids. My parents were strict disciplinarians and expected good grades and good behavior from all six of their children. But the kids always came first in their hearts and in their actions.
Then I fell in love with Jack. We’ve been married more than 41 years, and he’s always treated me like a queen. He has cared for me through a stroke, a dog attack, seizures, a fall, and several other situations. He does the laundry and the grocery shopping—and often brings home flowers along with the groceries. We’ve shared good times and bad, but we’ve always shared lots of love and lots of laughter.
As much as I appreciate the love of my family and the love of my husband, I know it wouldn’t exist unless there was first the love of God.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. … God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ~ 1 John 4;10, 16
In February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cupid, and romantic love. May we always remember and be thankful for the origin of love.
Amen, and amen, Lillie! How could we possibly understand real Love without knowing Who created it?
Thanks for the entry in WILF, Lillie!
Cheers!
Robert,
Thanks for another great WILF.
I just noticed that Today’s Scripture for Monday, the day most people will read this post, is 1 John 4:16. Coincidence???
You are right Lille, when it comes to love, like everything else we want to understand, we have to go back to the roots, ours, the world’s, the universe’s. But without understanding where it all started, it’s hard to understand the present.
Alina Popescu´s last blog post..Three Years of Blogging
Thank you, Alina. We sometimes forget that everything doesn’t come from us.
[...] What I Learned From Love, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye [...]
I like to share this verse to 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
“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.”
=)
Minneapolis (if you wrote Your Name@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
I thought of using 1 Corinthians 13, the “love chapter.” However, someone had already written a post with that quote, and I didn’t want to look like a copycat. Also, the verses I quoted point out the origin of love, not how love acts.
But that whole chapter, including the verses you quoted, are beautiful and meaningful.
in Greece we say:
dont stop chasing the one you love. otherwise you will end up loving whoever/whatever is in your way!
greets
kritinia,
Interesting saying. I’ve never heard it before.
Dana,
That’s a good one. I’ve heard variations of it.
Well, Lillie several bloggers aren’t yet aware of this great WordPress plugin called KeywordLuv. Good that you are using it. Very nice.
By the way, that was an awesome WILF.
Best Man,
I’m trying to educate people about Keyword Luv and request that when they comment on my blog they include a name. I would really, really, really rather call you John or Joe or Susie or Bubba than Best Man.
I give commenters do-follow links, keyword links with Keyword Luv, and an additional do-follow link in my monthly thanks to commenters. I don’t understand why in return they aren’t willing to honor my one simple request of using a real name. They can even make up a name and I’ll never know the difference, but I can speak to Greg or Romeo or Betsy or Bob instead of Best Man.
It’s very inspiring to read your post on love. Makes me think on the loves of my life as well.
Advance Happy Valentines!
Anna
Anna,
I’m glad my post made you think of the loves in your life. Happy Valentine’s Day to you also.
Love is always the answer to all our needs, scares, desires, etc. Nice post, we all need this force to go forward in our lives!
Oli
olivia´s last blog post..Alex aus dem Forum
Thanks, Olivia. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Great post. Love is the reason why I am so happy in my life right now and I wish everyone is touched by Love
Sally´s last blog post..Home Repossessions in South Africa Climb – the Crisis Spreads
Sally,
I’m so glad you are happy and your life is touched by love. I wish the same for everyone.
your life is so wonderful….your are very lucky….wel stay nice
diana´s last blog post..Switch to Heathier Choices
Diana,
Yes, I am very blessed and very grateful for it.
Excellent post. You are indeed lucky as is everyone who has found such long lasting love. It is something wealth and material things can never replace.
Quick (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
Thank you. I know how fortunate I am.
You’re welcome. I too have found love and feel very fortunate
Paul (thanks for leaving your name),
I’m happy that you are fortunate in love as well.
I loved your post, Lillie. Honestly, I’m very fortunate to be raised up by parents that always told me to spread our loves to everyone around us…
wilson´s last blog post..Your Body Type Determine Your Healthy Condition
wilson,
You and I were both blessed with special parents.
God’s love is enduring love. If only we could love as He loves.
B. Durant,
Amen! As long as we are in our earthly lives, our love—and everything else about us—will be imperfect, but someday …
[...] February: What I Learned from Love—I have been so blessed with the love of my family, the love of my husband, and above all the love of God that I was delighted to share my great loves. [...]
Lillie, you have vividly defined what is meant by “love”. Glad that you had the best parents and husband who had showered incredible affection and love on you.
.-= Alan@Tulsa Real Estate´s last blog ..Can You Hear Us Now Obama =-.
Thank you, Alan. I have been incredibly blessed.
Thanks for this nice article.
Sometimes it’s difficult special for smal kids to understand
why parents do what they do and why, but most love there kids and will do a lot to make there life nice and easy and will try to do their share to their children being accepted.
Very offen parents correct there kids and the kids think they are hard, after many years they start to find out why the parents did what they did and they do the same for there own kids, be quiet at the restaurant don’t do this and this, but the parents only do this becourse of love.
Soren,
You’re right. As children mature they realize why their parents provided limits.
With love I learned a lot of things… I learned to give, I learned to sacrifice, and I learned to let go… With love, you are not fully guaranteed to be happy all the time, because sometimes love means goodbye…
linda,
Valuable lessons, indeed.
Beautiful post Lillie, thank you. It’s open stories of evolving love that people need more of. Love is the greatest cure to everything.
God bless you
.-= Jennifer @ London Flower Delivery´s last blog ..Do Follow, Comment Luv Keyword Luv =-.
Thank you, Jennifer.
[...] We’ve faced a few challenges in our lives, and each of us has cared for the others during illnesses. However, we’ve never lacked for love or laughter. [...]