That’s the title on page “June 21st” in Our Daily Bread.

Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13

I woke up to that and some thoughts came to mind. There seem to be quite a discussion regarding this issue (romantically inclined) between my friends and I recently.

Sometimes the world makes you feel “selfish” and you’d want to protect yourself from getting hurt – so you hold back on what you can truly give out. Am I making sense?
Basically I’ve been here and there.

Here
Here is giving all I’ve got. Loving with all my heart. Caring with all I have. Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you. If I give my all, people would feel it and would give their all to me, too. If I give 100%, they would also put in 100%.

There
There is when being “here” leaves me with disappointment. With hurts. So I chose to go there where I become selfish. I hold back. I love cautiously or don’t at all. I care less or try not to. I treat others in reflection of how they treat me. I won’t give my all because people short-change you all the time. Even if I give 200%, they wouldn’t care – so why bother?

I went thru that because I felt bitter. Or perhaps I expected too much. Loving someone gives them the power to hurt you. I don’t want to give anyone that “privilege”. After some time of “do unto others as you would want others to do unto you” and you don’t get them doing what you do for them…I can’t help feeling disappointed. I can’t help feeling hopeless. I can’t help feeling that it’s all NOT worth it. Why care so much when others don’t give two hoots? Why bother when you may get hurt in the end? Why think so much for others?

I’m back at here though. I still practice “do unto others” and I believe in giving 100%. I believe in loving someone whole heartedly and caring for them genuinely even if it doesn’t end up the way you want it. In the end of the day if something bad happens, at least I know I’ve done my part – it isn’t my fault. I didn’t short-change you. I didn’t back out on you. I didn’t mistreat you. I didn’t mislead you. I didn’t ignore you. I didn’t hold back on my love.
People tell me it’s crazy because you don’t give yourself “insurance” when you give everything. You should “reserve” something so you won’t fall that badly, so you won’t get hurt. I may be a fool but at least I know I gave all I had. I gave my best. It may put me through pain that I cannot imagine/take but at least I won’t be tortured by, “maybe if I were more…or if I had done…or if I tried to be more…” because I’ve given EVERYTHING. When you open yourself to others, you risk getting hurt but my assurance is that God is Love.

Bah! I don’t know what I’m talking about anymore. What I’m trying to say is that although people say it’s crazy to let your guard down (in this day and time), at least I know I’ve given my best, my all. I didn’t short-change anyone.

—

Love Never Fails talked about an elderly couple – married for over 50 years and still very much in love.

Last week I saw Barbara lean over Claude’s bed, kiss him, and whisper, “I love you.” Claude replied, “You’re beautiful.”