LOVE

Love is such a beautiful thing and yet we take it forgranted. How is it that we can get so wrapped around one particular type of love that we begin to over look the value and beauty of the other types of love.

I have often been so wrapped up in finding romantic love that i have over looked the love of a deep intimate friendship with someone who really cares. I often over look the love of some mentors that i have out in Arkansas. I over look the love of a 6, 4, and 2 year old. I can over look the love of my roommate or the love of church friends.

I think that as a Christian i often forget that the most typical love portrayed through out scripture is not that of the love between a man and a women but that of a love portrayed through a friendship like David and Jonathon, Ruth and Naomi (although some would not see that) Moses and Erin, Jesus and Peter, Jesus and the rest of the disciples.

Some of the most intimate love found in the bible is that of just friends...including the love between God and Abraham...

I think that i have often said to those friends of mine who have said that they love me "but it is not the same."

And guess what, it isn't the same, it is something that is so much deeper or can be if we let it. The love of friends runs deeper than that of a romance...I think that is why the healthiest marriages are the ones where the husband and wife are more than just sex partners they are deep, intimate friends...

So whats the difference between me and my best friends, and for instance Rob and Vanessa...Well, i don't kiss them...but my guess is that my friendships could be just as deep if only we really opened are hearts a little more..

I think of Rob and his best friend Erin, they are indeed like David and Jonathon ...that is a deep and intimate friendship...

So, what am i afraid of..what are you afraid of...why don't we cultivate those deep loving friendships so that when we are sad, lonely, and depressed and those friends say "Yeah, but i love you." We can be truly blessed and encouraged.