Is Your Love Like a Flickering "Light Bulb"?

I found myself thinking a lot about the word "Love" this weekend... What love is and what love isn't.  How do you show love? Is your love like a flickering light bulb? Blinking on and off, on and off on and off....  It brought to mind a very famous song by the Beatles that went like this:

"All You Need is Love... yadadadada"

We were all born like blank sheets of paper.  Our lives experiences are the words that form on the page and set the tone of our future relationships from the foundation that is set in our childhood.  We start out as helpless infants - I once heard of a study that tested how well babies thrived.  Those that were held and loved and those that were just cared for.  The babies that were held and rocked were the ones that thrived the most.  (I'm not sure of where this study was done I'm just remembering that I heard of it once).  And when you think about it - it makes perfect sense. We really haven't changed since we were babies - WE NEED LOVE. 

1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-8 tells us that:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

What shows love to you?  I of course can only speak for myself.  There is nothing more appealing to me than a man who knows how to treat a woman.  Who stands behind his word.  Who shows consideration for her feelings. Who can show a woman by his actions that he loves her. Who can say, "I'm sorry" when he's made a mistake or when he is wrong without feeling that that makes him weak (for it doesn't - in fact it makes him more of a man).  Honesty - that goes a long way. Eve was made under Adam's heart. To be protected, respected and loved. Those are the qualities that show me that someone loves me. To be treated... "like a woman."

In the same respect - a "real woman" knows how to love her man. To appreciate him - to be his "helpmate." To be forgiving, understanding, compassionate and loving.  To make him feel "special." To show him that he is "one of a kind." To support his dreams and desires. A "real woman" can apologize when she is wrong.

My sister Shannon had posted a saying on her Facebook.  One that was kind of sad but true it went like this:  "Sometimes a guy realizes how much they care about a girl after the fact - and how amazing she really was. When that day comes, she's usually walking with the guy who already knew..."

Love is not wanting to change a person. But loving them inspite of their faults.  There is "no perfect person." We all have things within ourselves that we need to work on. We all have our flaws. Part of loving a person is accepting their good points and their bad. Loving them while knowing that everyone has their faults. If you are looking for Mister Perfect - guess what? He doesn't exist and maybe - just maybe you need to take a look in the mirror and realize the things you need to change about yourself - because Miss Perfect doesn't exist either.

Love should be a mutual giving and receiving. It should be a two way street.  When its "all about one person" there becomes a road block.

The best way to show a person you love them - is to love them. Simply, truly love them.  Actions really do show the inside of your heart.  They speak louder than the words you say.  And because its "better to give than to receive" don't be surprised  when the object of your affection - turns, runs into your arms, wraps her arms tightly around you and hugs you close while whispering in your ear.  "I love you. I'm so glad you are in my life." Because in sowing your love for someone - be prepared to reap a harvest.  It may be hard work - but in the end - it is soooooo worth it!