What is Love?

Love: (noun)
1. an intense feeling of deep affection
2. a person or thing that one loves

Hmm....something doesn't seem right here...

Ahhh.......love. What is love? I feel like that's a million-dollar question. today's society has given us a very skewed definition of love, as demonstrated above with Google dictionary. Teenagers and young adults today might tell you that love is a long text message or a fancy dinner. It could be a shopping spree or a new car. But people today are confusing love with materialistic items that satisfy only a temporary void.

To me, love is something undefined--something that can't be put into words. I feel like when you can't put a feeling into words, it makes it that much more real because no one can come along and take the words and alter then to mean something totally different than what you intended, it leave it's original intent. To me, love is something you rarely see these day. I think the best example of love is old couples. Elderly people lived in a generation without technology and an incredibly horrid society telling them these false presumptions about love. They didn't have to figure out if someone liked you by how much they tweeted or texted you. It was simply based upon actions and voluntary behavior. They also didn't throw away something every time it broke; they attempted to fix before replacing. I feel like this a key concept in love. But, I'm beating around the bush here. I still haven't accurately defined what love is; don't worry, I'm getting there!

Now if any of you have read my posts before you would know I am a follower of Christ and I try to live out his Word in my day to day actions. Obviously I stumble and fall, but hey, I'm only human! Yes, I have written about how God is love and sending His only Begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins is love--I still believe that with all my heart. But I'm talking about something tangible and something that can be seen. I'm talking about a love from one human being to another and this is something a little different...

Growing up, my mom always told me I had a heart that was too big for my own good. Now some of you may be wondering the same thing I am; what the heck does that mean?! (Some of that good ol' southern wisdom for ya!) Well I didn't know either until I recently stopped and thought about it.

Ever since I could remember, I have had a love for other people that very misunderstood until I got saved (which was then just considered loving others as Christ has loved me, which is true!). I would consistently put others before myself whenever it came to an emotional dilemma; I guess that's it...I would put others' emotions before my own. I never really noticed it until as of late...

You see I have noticed that I am a very hard lover. Don't take that the wrong way! I mean it in a good way, kinda. I am a person that, once I have realized I love you, I love you with everything I can and will sacrifice my own happiness to see you happy. It's kind of intense, but I think it's more of a gift than a curse. But I deem it amazing, rare even, to possess this kind of love. Honestly, I feel like it's a blessing from my Heavenly Father...

...I know what you're thinking at this point...I've completely deviated from the topic and I still haven't defined what love is (the kind pertaining to this post)...like I said, I'm getting there!

I've recently realized that my favorite part about life is the fact that you get to spend it with someone that love you unconditionally and irrevocably. The older I get, I can't wait to find the person that I'll spend the rest of my life with, but for now, I'll go off the experience I have. As of late, I've been talking to this boy that attends the same college I do. I won't go into detail, but we've been talking for about four months now and things have mostly stayed the same. However, being the little attorney that I am, I've noticed and analyzed some his actions when he's around me (it's not creepy, trust me!). Half of him is the typical college wanna-be-free-I'll-do-what-I-want type of guy but he has a completely different side. For example, he'll make sure that he gives me and hug and a kiss on the cheek each time we spend time together and he'll always walk me out when I leave and clean up after my mess. He'll kiss me in the morning when I have bad breath and will pull me back into his embrace if he even thinks I'm remotely mad at him. All this being said, I'm not saying we're in love or he loves me or I, him, but I think that's the gist of my whole post tonight...

You see, love isn't spending insane amounts of money or blasting your personal life on social media. It's the little things you do each and every day to remind your significant other that you love and would do anything to see them smile. It's me letting him sing to me when he's not that great at it, or not fussing when he falls asleep and then snores because I know he's tired and needs rest. Love is complete selflessness and caring for another human being. It's the greatest feeling in the world and it's the closing thing we have to magic. People spend and sacrifice everything--time, money, resources, relationships, friendships, you name it--just to hear someone say those three magic words. But love can't be bought, that would take the power out of it. Love can only be experienced by two individuals that realize it's about consistently putting someone else before yourself.

Well, that's all I have for ya tonight.

Until next time, bloggers :)


Taylor

Forgive Me, Lord

Dear God,

I come to You, as humble as I know how. I exalt You God; You are my Defender, my Savior, my God. Forgive me of my sins, for I know I have let you down several times over again. I really wish I could experience how it feels to be let down time and time again because You know I deserve it. I have come to You because I feel the enemy attacking my spiritual life. I know this because I haven't prayed to You as much as usual or spent as much time in the Word or in worship. I've blamed my school work and my working obligations, but it's really all my fault....

I keep asking myself the question, in some ways jokingly, "My God, why have You forsaken me?"
But You haven't forsaken me, nor will You ever forsake me! You are the One that should be asking me, "My Taylor, my child, why have you forsaken ME?"

My God, forgive me for I am a sinner. I cannot even begin to explain how sorry I am, I just keep letting you down...

But I know that I will not walk alone! I hear the words...
"Never once did we ever walk alone, never once did you leave us on our own, you are faithful God, you are faithful!"

You are faithful and loving and true and just and amazing and powerful and mighty and wonderful!
I have failed You but I know I am forgiven because of what Your Son did for me...

I hear the words again...

"I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross"

I'll never know what it took to save me, but I am eternally thankful for what You sent Your Son to do for me, knowing that I might not receive it. You are true love.

But I know that You are a faithful and it's time I began being faithful to You again. You are more than worthy of praise!

I love you God,
I love you God,
I love you, my God.

There is power in the name of Jesus, there is power in Your name, God.

I am overwhelmed by Your amazing grace, God. Why You love me, I will never understand; but regardless, I am forever thankful.

Thank you God.
Thank you God.
Thank you, my God.

I hear it again...

"Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me."

"In death, in life, I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love! My debt is paid, there's nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love!"

In all these things I pray in Your name,

Amen.

My Prayer Tonight

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am amazed daily by your overwhelming grace and love. I show you daily that I don't deserve anything but death, but instead you gave me life and I am eternally grateful. I thank you allowing me to see another day. I'm using my last hour in this day to seek you with everything in me God. I pray that I can take Your Word and I can live it out daily. I pray that when people look at me, they say, "something is different about her; she has a joy about her that is not from anything of this world." I have been guilty of looking for acceptance and joy from things in this world, but Romans 12:2 tells me to not conform but be of Your nature God. I pray that you help me to love more. I want to be like You, God. I want to love unconditionally and faithfully.

You know that there is so much healing that needs to happen to me and those around me. I pray for Taylor Lord, God. I pray for Your touch to heal her and fill her with life. I pray for her family during this difficult time; I pray that they would seek You and nothing else because You are the only one that can truly comfort them and bring ease to their heart. I pray for Sophia and her family God. I know that her grandmother is at Your right hand and that You took her because it was time for her to be with You God and I pray that You bring this same revelation to Sophia. Comfort her, God; ease her heart and mind God and I pray that through this process, she would draw closer to You. I pray for my own family as You also gained my Uncle Ted as well. I pray that he is overwhelmed with Your love in Heaven, God. You know the man he is and You love him all the same. I pray that You heal the hurt ones as well as my own heart God. May thy will be done.

There is so much work to be done in the hearts of my colleagues God. I pray for Jess as she stresses about school. I pray that You show up in her life and do something positively amazing. I pray that she will be astounded by Your showing her that she can find rest and peace in You and You alone. I pray for Zac, Lord God. It pains me every day to see him in such pain and misery but I know that Your plan is greater than mine. I just pray that you bring revelation in his life and You show him of Your mercy. Let him love people God. Let him be a reckless lover of souls so that he can be filled with Your joy rather than his own.

Thank you so much for Your love. I can't be thankful enough for You grace. I'm so undeserving but still You love me. Thank you for giving me my mom God. She means the world to me and I don't know where I'd be without her love and guidance. I pray that You do work in her heart. Show her what it is to genuinely love others. Show her what mercy is. Show her You, God. I thank you for giving us Robert. He is amazing because He's the best earthly father I could've ever asked for. I pray that you heal my parents and keep them safe. Love....

Oh God, I feel you stirring in my heart. Continue to work in me God. Use me, Change me, do whatever You need to do to make me Yours. I give you everything God. I give You everything. I trust You.

I just lift up Liberty University God. I pray that every prayer is answered and every heart is healed. I pray that anyone I left out tonight is shown you love just as well, Lord God. Show us you grace and love and mercy. Fill us and mold us into the school You want us to be.

I love You God, I pray all these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.