When Love Finally Made Sense

Many years ago, a friend sent me an email about love.

At the time, I was going through one of the most difficult seasons of my life.

My first marriage had come to an end.

Looking back now, I don’t think my friend sent that email because she wanted to explain what love was.

I think she simply wanted to remind me not to lose hope.

I kept that email.

Not because I remembered every word.

But because I remembered how it made me feel.

For years, it stayed quietly in my inbox while life continued.

As time passed, I found myself reading it differently.

When we are young, we often think love is supposed to be perfect.

We imagine that if love is real, it should never hurt.

Life eventually teaches us otherwise.

Sometimes love means holding on.

Sometimes love means letting go.

Sometimes loving someone also means wanting them to be happy, even if that happiness no longer includes us.

That isn’t weakness.

Sometimes…

that’s the bravest kind of love.

Perhaps the hardest person we ever have to forgive isn’t someone else.

Perhaps it’s ourselves.

Forgiving ourselves for trusting.

For making mistakes.

For staying too long.

Or for believing that our story had ended.

Looking back today, I don’t regret keeping that email.

It became a quiet reminder that even broken hearts can heal.

Not because the pain disappears overnight.

But because time, faith and forgiveness slowly change the way we carry it.

Of all the words in that email, one passage has stayed with me more than any other.

Not because it came from the email itself…

But because it comes from Scripture.

“Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

 

💡 Be-Bulb Reflection

Today, I read the article my friend sent me years ago differently.

Life has taught me that love isn’t measured by grand gestures or perfect words.

It’s found in ordinary moments.

Checking on someone when they’re having a difficult day.

Preparing a meal for the people we care about.

Forgiving even when it’s hard.

Listening without rushing to give advice.

Being present.

Love changes as we grow older.

When we’re young, we often think love is something we fall into.

As life goes on, I believe love becomes something we choose to practise every day.

Patiently.

Quietly.

Faithfully.

Perhaps that’s why the words from 1 Corinthians 13 continue to speak to me after all these years.

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

And maybe…

the greatest expression of love is simply choosing to keep loving, even when life becomes difficult.

Be Kind. Love Well. Keep the faith… love is often found in the smallest everyday moments.