“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Dear Love,
I like you, but sometimes you drive me crazy. You always complicate my life. Love, why do you want me to become more patient? It really cramps my style. It fills my day with disorder. It would be so much easier to just do things my way.
Love, why do you get my hopes up? You lead me to believe I can be kind and calm but then I soon forget. That feeling of failure follows me around, making me think I’m not very caring after all.
Love, why do you expect so much from me? I’m only human, after all. Will you just leave me alone to my books, my planting of flowers and my quiet time Bible reflections? You are too complicated for me. I crave simplicity.
Love, how do you put up with me? I am quick to forget all of the forgiveness I have received. I know all this relational work is for my good, yet I grumble and complain. You still never give up on me!
Love, please help me keep on pursuing Your ways. They are much higher than mine. Maybe some day I will love others as I should. Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me, even if I never succeed in this life.
I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.
(Song of Solomon 6:3)
Love,
me
