Love is what love does…

The Dirty Side of Love…

Let’s talk love. Love is what love does and love WORKS. Pictured are plants from my garden. By “my” I mean the one that my husband started for me when my MakeSomeTHYME journey began. See all that dirt under the pretty green stuff? That’s love. The dirt is where the work happens. If the soil is not balanced, weeds removed, pesticides applied, receives proper sun and hydration, the plants would die. Some plants are also seasonal. And, just like relationships, they have different requirements. The key to helping them survive is learning about their needs and putting in the work.

As I go through the seasons and cycles of my life, I have recognized that what I needed in my 20’s is completely different from what I need in my 40’s and will change until the day that I die. However I am confident that as long and I refer to this passage of scripture and use it as my guide when things get hard my harvest will always be bountiful. 

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1Corinthians 13:4-8

Understanding that love is always active. It does not take a break. It never checks out, nor can it afford time off. When I am faced with difficulties “Love” helps me to identify and correct the following:

    1.    When it is hard for me to love the people around me, it’s because I have chosen to not operate in love. 

    2.    When I feel slighted by things that are done or not done to please me, it is because I have removed love from the equation. 

    3.    When I myself have knowingly done and said things that should make me “unloveable”, it’s because the love I have for myself is running on empty.

To put it simply the “verb” love is what we do, but the “noun” love is who we are. The two do not function independently. If you are ever unsure about it, I encourage you to replace love in this passage with your name or pronoun and repeat it to yourself as often as necessary.

Here’s mine…

LaTrice is patient and kind; she does not envy or boast; she is not arrogant or rude. She does not insist on her own way; she is not irritable or resentful; she does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. She bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Her love never ends. 

Love will only grow when it is planted and where it is cared for. Seasons change, but love does not. Love can be dirty, but love is always worth the sacrifice. 

Share your definition of love ❤️. I would love to hear from you. 

PS – I love you.

-Trice