Real Love

I have often been told that you'll know one's character when there are challenges. Friends and families characters are tested in those stressful, confusing, grief-stricken, sorrowful and in need-of-help moments. Who will be there is the question even though not the focus at that moment in time.  Christ displayed love by action and words, He walked the talk. He proved then and now that LOVE is the root of a big tree that produces much fruit such as trust, kindness, loyalty, faithfulness, sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, no judgement, endurance, joy, peace, presence, perseverance, commitment, understanding, compassion, generosity and much more. In the book of Ruth chapter 1, Ruth displayed what real love is to her mother-in-law Naomi. During the time, Naomi felt that there was nothing else left to offer her daughters in law and rather wanted to let them go back home and have a better life than what she could offer. The other one left but Ruth stayed as said "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go: wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us" (Ruth 1:16-18). Here she displayed her love by words and actions. Naomi has nothing to offer Ruth but she stayed. She was loyal, faithful and patiently endured the tough times with Naomi. She sacrificed the opportunity for a better life by not going back home. She remained faithful in the dark times not knowing what the future holds for her. She even was willing to give her all to identify more with Naomi saying her people will be my people and her God will be my God. She was committed to endure whatever path that may come her way as long as she was with Naomi, only death could separate them. For me, that is real love with no conditions and such love is tested, trialled and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  It is the foundation that can and is capable of weathering storms of any kind I believe. Love is built with time and doesn't just happen and it is also a choice. I have learnt that real love has no expectations because if expectations are present there were conditions. If the conditions are not met, well there is no love. I believe that Naomi loved Ruth too and was willing to let her go for the betterment of her future. Love endures all things even when it hurts. Love is putting another's needs before yours even though it is not reciprocated as Jesus had shown to the point of dying on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life. Love is willing to do even what you don't want to do so that others may benefit. If we all loved like Christ loved, the world would be a much better place. But God's mercies and grace carry us in our imperfect state as we are all a working progress. And that's just the surface of God's love (agape love) and it is deeper and incomprehensive.

In terms of relationships that lead to marriage, I believe that this is the type of love (as deep as it can be) that should be displayed. But since I am not relationship expert neither do I have much experience in this area further research and testimonials are warranted (in other blogs or internet websites) for those seeking to understand more on this. If you are successfully married and know the ropes on this and have further insight on this subject feel free to comment and share.