What I Learned from Love

February 7, 2009 by Lillie 

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Creative Commons License 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.

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32 Comments »

Comment by Robert Hruzek
2009-02-08 14:50:13

Amen, and amen, Lillie! How could we possibly understand real Love without knowing Who created it?

Thanks for the entry in WILF, Lillie!

Cheers!

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-09 01:44:44

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???

 
 
Comment by Alina Popescu Subscribed to comments via email
2009-02-09 00:06:00

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

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-09 01:57:07

Thank you, Alina. We sometimes forget that everything doesn’t come from us.

 
 
2009-02-10 01:16:04

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.”

=)

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-10 01:27:19

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.

 
 
Comment by Best Man from Best Man Speeches
2009-02-10 07:00:03

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.

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-10 07:19:17

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. :-)

 
 
Comment by kritinia
2009-02-10 07:40:50

in Greece we say:
dont stop chasing the one you love. otherwise you will end up loving whoever/whatever is in your way!

greets

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-10 13:48:51

kritinia,

Interesting saying. I’ve never heard it before.

 
Comment by Dana Daniels from Acai Berry Diet
2009-02-13 23:13:56

:-) That reminds me of a saying my mother used to use when talking about boys and dating: “Chase ‘em till they catch you”.

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-14 00:17:47

Dana,

That’s a good one. I’ve heard variations of it.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
Comment by Anna from sip termination
2009-02-10 12:16:54

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

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-10 13:49:28

Anna,

I’m glad my post made you think of the loves in your life. Happy Valentine’s Day to you also.

 
 
Comment by olivia
2009-02-11 05:29:28

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

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-11 07:34:27

Thanks, Olivia. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

 
 
Comment by Sally from Fast Flat sale
2009-02-12 06:39:38

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

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-12 06:58:48

Sally,

I’m so glad you are happy and your life is touched by love. I wish the same for everyone.

 
 
Comment by diana
2009-02-12 08:45:27

your life is so wonderful….your are very lucky….wel stay nice

diana´s last blog post..Switch to Heathier Choices

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-12 08:59:31

Diana,

Yes, I am very blessed and very grateful for it.

 
Comment by Quick Property Sale Subscribed to comments via email
2009-03-18 06:12:29

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.

Comment by Lillie
2009-03-18 06:32:04

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.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Comment by Paul from QuickPropery Sale Subscribed to comments via email
2009-03-18 06:34:54

You’re welcome. I too have found love and feel very fortunate :-)

 
Comment by Lillie
2009-03-18 06:48:28

Paul (thanks for leaving your name),

I’m happy that you are fortunate in love as well.

 
 
 
 
Comment by wilson Subscribed to comments via email
2009-02-12 12:10:44

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

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-12 15:44:25

wilson,

You and I were both blessed with special parents.

 
 
Comment by B. Durant from Pet Snakes
2009-02-13 17:03:45

God’s love is enduring love. If only we could love as He loves.

Comment by Lillie
2009-02-13 21:19:50

B. Durant,

Amen! As long as we are in our earthly lives, our love—and everything else about us—will be imperfect, but someday …

 
 
Comment by Alan from Tulsa Real Estate Subscribed to comments via email
2010-01-21 13:38:38

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 My ComLuv Profile

Comment by Lillie
2010-01-22 03:08:26

Thank you, Alan. I have been incredibly blessed.

 
 

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