A Thing Called Love

They say that confession is good for the soul, so here goes. Even with a degree in Psychology and a degree in Theology I am still often confounded by this thing called love. For twenty five years I have preached and taught that love is not defined by how you feel rather it is defined by what you do. I often use I Corinthians 13 to help me define love. You remember the passage. It is read at almost every wedding. "Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, etc....." Dr. Gary Chapman says that the "in love" feeling or the "tingles" as he calls it usually wanes after about two years of marriage. I have often said that Love is best defined by what you do not how you feel.

This past weekend Linda had gallbladder surgery. When they wheeled her back in the room I looked at her lying there in the hospital bed. She had no make up and no jewelry. Her face was red and flushed and often wrenched with pain. Her eyes were swolen with black circles underneath. Her hair was uncombed and lay matted to her head. There was very little there that resembled the bride that I married 34 years ago. Nevertheless, a feeling welled up in me as I looked at her in that moment. I thought to myself, I would not trade her for all the starlets in Hollywood.

Maybe love is a feeling after all. Go figure!

lcr