I was about 14 years old when Bobby Eckols sent me a love note by way of a friend. It said, "I love you. Do you love me?"
I remember as if it were yesterday. I was quite concerned when I got that note. I didn't want to answer no, because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. But I didn't want to answer yes, either; what did I know of love? I wrote a long letter back to him. I told him I had no idea what love was, so I couldn't possibly answer him one way or the other. I told him I liked him, but love was something I thought must be of greater importance than I could attest with a yes or no answer on a piece of paper.
I had given a lot of thought to love and what it was and what it wasn't. I was very confused at fourteen years of age. People who said they loved me treated me in ways that hurt me. I was told people loved me when they abandoned me and were never around to show it. I was taught to love a God I couldn't see. Love was a complicated thing. I had no easy answer to give as to its meaning, nor could I give Bobby an answer which could define my thinking.
Today I realize there are all kinds of love. A mother's, father's, sister's, friend's. A husband's and wife's. But the greatest realization and understanding I've ever had is that of Agape love. With God's unconditional love, a love greater than any other, I've learned better how to love than to be loved. In analysis of today, I find the former as the greater to have known and studied. And I feel it is most important to pursue in eager anticipation of making a difference in this world of so much unlove-liness. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
