lover chick

Love never fails. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:8

There are probably three verses in the Bible that your mind goes to when you think of love.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Luke 10:27 - "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

And, of course, 1 Corinthians 13. Someone gave us a picture for our house when we were married. I have never known the best place to put the picture, so for now, it's in my bathroom. Guess what I'm reading while I'm, uh, never mind...

We are commanded to love. God shows us amazing love. And yet, loving others (and even ourselves) is so hard. I know for me, loving the lovable is a little easier than loving the "unlovable", but even the lovable can pose a challenge for me. Nevertheless, God loves me all the time! ALL THE TIME! His love never waivers, and His love will never fail me. This is the love that I am striving for.

Lover Chicks are great at loving their families, because they understand how to love them. They do a wonderful job loving their children, their parents, and even their hubbies! Lover Chicks have moved beyond the "euphoric" state of love. This love lasts for a maximum of 2 years. You know, the "shnooky-wooky" love. The kind of love that has been described as "blind".

Real love, on the other hand, is not a place you "fall" into. This love is not a feeling. Rather, it's what you do, sometimes in spite of what you are feeling. Sometimes we are guaranteed not to feel love towards someone. If that's the case, then you must choose (there's that little word again) to do loving things.

My daughter is still a baby, so she is easier to love. My husband, however, in not as easy. But, I must choose to love him, even when I don't feel like loving him. So sometimes I have to choose to FORGIVE him. I have to choose to make his dinner. I have to choose to watch TV with him. I have to choose to say nice things. I need to ask him what makes him feel loved, and then do those things for him. I am definitely not a master of this, but writing this reminds me that I need to put forth a little more effort!

How do you talk to your husband? Do you treat him like a child? If so, then you are mothering him. Not good, my friends! If you treat him like a child, then he will start acting like a child. Think about what you say to your spouse, and the way that you say it.

The biggest key to communication, which is the building block of any relationship, is to LISTEN! Make your ears available to your spouse, your kids, your family, your friends, and your community!

Another way that you can demonstrate your love and respect is to be loyal. If you are feeling disconnected to your husband, or in another relationship, and feel that you are on opposing teams, it is important that you remain loyal. This is one of the greatest ways to be respectful. If you are showing respect, your husband (or friend) will know that you are willing to do whatever it takes to repair your relationship and get back on track together.

Your children need to know that you love them. Lover Chicks love their kids. Tell your kids that you love them. Hug them and spend time with them. Never abandon your children, physically or emotionally. They are learning how to love by the way that you love them.

If you haven't read Gary Chapman's Five Love Languages, I highly recommend it. I read it before I got married, but I want to read it again when my daughter gets a little older. Every person shows and receives love in different ways. By knowing how someone receives love, you will know how to show them meaningful love. My husband's love language is Words of Affirmation. Mine is Time. I have to work hard at reaffirming him with my words, and he has to remember that I need to spend time with me.

Lover Chicks love their friends. Girls, make sure your friends know that you love them. Give your chicks a call or send them a card. Remind them how special they are to you.

Lover Chicks love their God! Tell Him that you love Him. Your actions are so important in showing God that you love him! 1 John 4:20 says this, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

In order to love others, you must keep your heart open. If you have closed off your heart, or are protecting your heart from getting hurt, you are going to have a really hard time loving others. We must love humanity, which involves seeing humanity. We can't turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering that is going on all around us. And yet, when the man on the corner, holding his homeless sign, was asking for money, I didn't even make eye contact. I played with the radio, looked in the rear-view mirror, checked my phone for missed calls, looked intently at the red light, wishing it would turn green. Why can't I extend love to this man? My negativity gets the best of me. "Is he really homeless? Where would my money go? Is he safe? Am I safe if I stop?" I let my head get the best of my heart. Then the conviction sets in. I am here to show Christ's love to the lost. Would Jesus be checking his iPhone, or would he be helping the man on the street? I really struggle with this.

Now, not to be the ultimate downer, there are other ways to love humanity, and love others! How many of you know your neighbors? I mean, really know your neighbors. I live in a cul-de-sac, and know most of the people on my street, but beyond knowing their names, their children's names, and maybe a few "non-intimate" details about them, I do not know my neighbors. I am kind to my neighbors, but I'm not sure I love them like I love myself. But, what a perfect place to start loving humanity! Just think what could happen if you started loving your neighbors! Holly Wagner spotlights a woman in her book. Nancy Alcorn started by loving the girls in her neighborhood. Her neighborhood has now expanded to include more of the world. When Nancy met with President Bush, he called her a "soldier in the army of compassion." What a powerful image! You can check out more about Nancy at www.mercyministries.org. She is the founder of this group.

Ladies, I promise you, there is hurt everywhere you turn. People who are longing to be loved. Young women battling eating disorders, teenage or unwanted pregnancies, depression, or sexual dysfunction. There are girls in our own community who don't even know what it means to know a mother's love and support. They are longing to be welcomed into a loving environment, where they can truly be loved, and learn about the God who loves them. Perhaps you could extend a little piece of yourself to a generation that so desperately needs you. Sometimes all you need to give is a shoulder to cry on and an ear that will listen.

Isn't this Biblical? Look at Titus 2:3-5. We are to mentor those who are younger than we are. God wants us to take care of and look after our Sisters in Christ.