WHAT LOVE TRULY IS!

 

Love, some people say is security, some say it is respect, while others say it is commitment. Some people see love as equality. It can also be seen as the act of accepting the other person’s flaws.

However, can all this be merged to define "true love?"

Let me take y'all on an Odyssey of what true love entails.

True love can be seen in three contexts:

●       Godly Love (Agape)

●       Motherly love towards her child/children

●       True love in relationships

 

●       Godly Love (Agape)

True love viewed from the aspect of Godly love can be seen in the New Testament of the Bible. The Holy Bible defines true love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 as being patient and kind, not envious or boastful; not arrogant or rude. Not insisting on its ways; not irritable or resentful; not rejoicing in wrongdoings but rejoices with the truth.

The Holy Bible says "True love is patient. For instance, if you say to me, "Eddy, do you love your kids?" I will say; "Yes, of course, I do". But if you say, " Eddy, are you patient with your kids?" I will say. "...…could do better......"

Think about a person you care about. Do you want them to feel your love? Be patient with him. Be patient with her. Be patient with them. Grow in patience and you will deepen your love.

Love is kind. If I ask, "Do you love your best friend?" Most of you would say, "Yes, I really love my best friend". But if I change the question and ask, " Are you generous to your best friend?”, there would probably be a range of different answers.

Love is kind. Love is generous. The degree to which you are growing in kindness is the degree to which you are growing in love.

Also, the Bible outlines true love in the 4th book of the New Testament, John 3:16. We can see how God truly loved the world by giving his only begotten son to die on the cross of Calvary just for our sake.

Now, that is one strong instance of true love! Being ready to sacrifice yourself and everything you’ve got for another, without expecting anything in return.

 

●       Motherly Love

A mother's love is true love. It is the kind of love that comes from deep within her. A mother’s love neither lies nor dies. A mother can be a best friend, mentor, caretaker, and what have you. True love can be likened to a mother being a best friend to her child.

After birth, a child finds his mom as the first friend who plays with him along with extra care and nourishment. She interacts with her child as a friend and keeps watching all her child's activities. A mother never feels tired while playing with her child and will always fulfill his or her demands. A mother is like a guardian angel for her child.

Motherly love cannot be overemphasized. A mother can be a mentor. She keeps working for the betterment of her child and family at large. She can also be a caretaker, wanting the best for her child and never compromising anything related to her child.

Gail Tsukiyama once said "Mothers and children are in a category of their own. There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love is so instantaneous and forgiving.

Indeed, motherly love is love in its truest form!

●       True Love in relationships

True love also exists in relationships. It includes respect, admiration, care and never subjecting your partner to hurt, humiliation, or any form of abuse.

So many assume they are in love, whereas it may be just infatuation, a one-sided feeling, or a close friendship.

Let me share with y'all instances of true love in relationships:

1. Give and take in love: You give to the relationship unconditionally without expecting something back from your partner.

2. Pure happiness: You are filled with happiness just watching your special person smile or laugh out loud even though you're having a bad day.

3. Pain and anger: You may feel hurt when your partner upsets you but their actions never anger you. You cannot remain annoyed with them for long.

4. You make sacrifices for their happiness or well-being even if they don’t realize it.

5. You keep your promises: When you make a promise to your partner, you keep it.

6. You share their burdens: You are always willing to help in their difficulties even though you have problems of your own.

7. Their perspective: Whenever you have plans of your own, think of your partner's opinion before doing something for yourself.

The emotions we often call "love" can come and go quickly but "true love" (the kind that lasts a lifetime) must be developed and cultivated.

True love forgives, it sees the best in people, and it doesn't tell people what they want to hear but what they need to hear. True love is lasting, preserving, and in the end, TRUE LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Name: Uko Edidiong Ime

State code: OS/22B/0889

Course: Human Anatomy

Institution: University of Calabar

State of origin: AkwaIbom state