We love our mom and dad, members of our family, and when we marry we are in love with our spouse. We even love our pets, too. There are different ways of showing our love in different relationships.

But what is love?  What do we expect from people we love? Why do we draw to certain people? What do we give them?

When asked to write on love, I thought to myself, how do I explain love in words? Love can be feelings, it can be actions, or it can be commitments.  Well, God is love. “We love because He first loved us”, 1 John 4:29. It says in 1 John 4:17 “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.”

In Galatians 5, it talks about the Fruit of the Spirit, the first fruit is love, then it goes on to joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, goodness, and discipline.

As we accept Jesus, we also have the Holy Spirit in our heart. There is much more to love: Jesus loved us. He sacrificed through much pain to set us free from our sins.

We too, suffer pain in different ways for our loved ones. They do for us as well.  Sometimes it is hard to love someone who has hurt us but God has that covered too. They may not be enemies but at the time it might seem like they are.  Just pray for them and you both will be set free from anger or bitterness.  Remember you might have hurt someone and might want to be set free, too. Always praise God and thank Him.  Let God know you love Him and all will be well.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for us, to set us free from our sins.  Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit, you give us the fruit of love to give and receive.  We love you dear Father.

Amen and Amen.

Carol Cotant