love day

let us love{agapeo} one another  I John 4:7

In Precepts, this week, we learned some of the different Greek words for love.

Eros
- love of passion, based on body chemistry, and depends on being attractive to another person.
- is selfish. "I love you because you make me happy"
-looks for what it can get, and only gives in order to receive.
-very conditional.

Phileo
-brotherly/sisterly love. the kind of love most people have for friends.
-responds to kindness and appreciation. it involves giving as well as receiving, but when greatly strained it can collapse in a crisis.
-higher level of love than eros, because it is OUR happiness rather than MY happiness.

Agape
-this love keeps on loving even when the loved one is unresponsive, unkind, unlovable, and unworthy
-is unconditional love... the most noble form and originates in God.
-desires only the good of the one loved; consuming passion for the well-being of others.
- used 329 times in bible...and not really found that much outside the bible.

In I John, we are called to agape love each other. This is the kind of love God has for us.

Uhhhh.

I actually kinda choked a little when I read the definition of agape love:
Keeps on loving even when the loved one is unresponsive, unkind, unlovable. 

Have you ever been in a situation where you really tried to love someone and they were unresponsive?

I have. It totally makes me want to give up. But I am instructed to keep on loving.

I don't know about you, but I fail in this department. It comes natural to love our children with agape love...that unconditional love...but it seems so much harder to use agape love on other people.

Quite honestly, I think I fall into the category of phileo love with my friends, more often than not.

That is sad. I feel convicted.

And the only way it is even remotely possible to agape love those who hurt us, is to tap into God's overflowing source of agape love. To love others with His love.

Just yesterday I got to practice this. A person kinda hurt my feelings a little(please don't alert the presses, it was really no big deal). And I get to choose whether to keep loving with agape love...or to let the friendship collapse under great strain with phileo love. Love is a choice. Not a feeling. And so I am asking God to help me love this person with His agape love.

On a lighter note, I am excited about my new metal print!

When I first saw these metal prints, I called my little sister Lindsay and suggested she get some. She was my guinea pig, so to speak.

She ordered some and we both liked them so much, that I finally ordered one too! Thanks Lin!


I was also inspired by sister Lindsay to buy these metal shelves. My little pot needs a cactus.


And sweet Loriloo made these cute little wooden people for me as a gift.

Happy Valentines Day! Now go love someone agape style!