I remember the ‘smell’ of the air around the boys I ‘liked’ in primary school; I think it was like a mixture of imperial lather soap and groundnut oil!Somehow, I didn’t smell that smell around other boys. I truly can’t explain it but it was a strong smell that made me know I was attracted to a person.
In my early teens, there was no smell @ all probably because I wasn’t around guys much! But, alas! In my late teens, it was butterflies! In my belly! I had read about it but I didn’t know how it felt until I was about 18. A wonderful feeling it was… seeing him, speaking with him and merely sensing he was around made the butterflies tickle me from within. It was indeed a great feeling and it lasted over 7 years!
It is therefore tempting to conclude that when I feel the butterflies or smell the smell, I’m in love! Actually, that’s what I thought love was!
In retrospect however, I realize that what made my relationship with this guy go on for so long was a DECISION. He didn’t have any money and I didn’t have the size and shape of his dream woman but we both consciously decided to stick with each other for as long as possible…
Another conscious decision I made was to love a little girl my grandma brought home to live with us! Oh! This girl was ugly and annoying! She slept like a witch! Kicking and murmuring every night in my room! And worst still, she couldn’t speak English and we all could not communicate with her at all! Oh! How I hated everything about her until I had a rethink after mum had said that she had come to stay! I made a decision (By God’s grace) to love her, care for her and help her and in no time, I no longer saw her as ugly but as a helpless little child that needed all the love in the world. She grew up with so much love in her heart for me which of course was reciprocated until she left...
Through the grace of God also, I made a decision to love a group of people I NEVER imagined I could ever deal with-mentally challenged kids in a state owned home- and truly, I love them all.
My point, love isn’t just a feeling. It is commitment. True love doesn’t just happen, it’s a decision. Accordingly, that you feel attraction and affection for someone doesn’t mean you love the person and should be a couple!
Oh! Need I forget? My 7 yr relationship still broke because one person decided against the decision. What happened to the butterflies? Hmmmmm! I’ll rather not say.
Sometimes I fear that just as my boyfriend left, I’ll leave the children @ the home. Maybe, I’ll get tired or travel or die! I hope not though, but then, I’m mortal.
However folks, there’s one whose love is true, constant and unconditional. He’s the only one that can love you and never break your heart. He loves you very much and desires your comeback anytime you walk away. He’s ever ready to forgive you when you make a mistake. He is JESUS and He is love. Anyone that does not know him cannot know what love is.
Again, I say, love is a decision. Decide to fall in love with Him today and you can be sure that unlike any man, he’ll never leave nor forsake you(Hebrews10:35)
Yours’ in His love,
thesire
