Loving myself

"There is no remedy for love, but to love more."
-Henry David Thoreau

I'm a passionate guy. That's one of my better traits. It's one of the things that I love about myself and that tends to draw people to me. The fact that I have so much love to give and passion for people is a trait that is not widely held or acknowledged.

Since the recent demise of a few relationships between me and people that I love, I've focused all of that love, that I freely gave to others, inward. I am loving myself more than ever before. Things that I was once insecure about have become my saving graces in many situations. God is truly showing me favor on all fronts...in spite of my actions.

One thing that I've found to be true is that through loving myself I am finding myself able to love those around me more intensely and wholly. It's amazing when you cultivate your friendships and relationships with your loved ones and it manifests itself greatly in your life. I am finding the true intention of God's purpose for love.

Love was not created as a selfish emotion for man to grant as he sees fit. Love was created for God to show us exactly how much he cares for us. To give a just a small fraction of how he feels about us. Think about it, loving oneself is almost too easy. We do that through our own natural vanity everyday. Yet, to love another person as much as we love ourselves or even moreso is a beautiful thing. However, that goes both ways. Love is meant to be reciprocal in the relationships we maintain everyday for a healthy existence. When it is one-sided it becomes dangerous.

We glorify God through loving Him and loving our fellow man. God's face is manifested everyday in our friendships. The Apostle Paul himself said, "Oh how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." To function as one entity, two souls moving forward in lockstep is wonderful. This is not a romantic thing either, it extends itself to friends of the same step. It is not a sexual thing, more so an emotional thing or a spiritual thing. Forgive me for not being able to more eloquently interpret such a feeling but I am still learning.

Oh lord, my strength, my redeemer.
Please forgive me as a walk daily and continue to bless me with the gift of LOVE, so that I may love more deeply and be a tool of blessing for you as you have blessed me.
In the name of your son Jesus I pray,
Amen.

AMEN