True Love?

True Love.

What does that even mean?

Do you find it in fairy tales? Does it just end there?

Do you find it in real life? If so, why is it so disappointing?

They say that the image of your parents and the way they treat each other reflects what you perceive love and God to be.

Huh, interesting that they would pair those up together.

And it’s true, I’ve seen it in my own life so many times. No matter how much I would like to tell myself that I can view love to be different than my own experiences, it’s so difficult.

So, what does true love mean?

My understanding of what it meant to be truly loved was a mixture between fairy tales and God’s sacrificial love. Yes, that’s the ideal, but what if it’s not a possibility? What if, no matter how hard they try, the people around you can’t love you as you need to be loved?

Woah! That’s heavy stuff, especially for an idealistic realist as myself.

Somehow along the way, I noticed that there is a big difference between my idealistic views and those pessimistic views of others. Throughout this realization there was a big fear that arose in me. What if those desires of my heart will not be fulfilled? What if I’m meant to have this deep longing to be known and loved in such a beautiful way, but that’s all it’ll ever be - a desire. I’ve been so tainted by my own experiences, how will I ever discover something this wonderful?

Yet, I keep being reminded that I’m wrong. I continue to be reminded that God never gives us desires that will be left unfulfilled. He is not a cruel God, but a Loving God. Our desires are a reflection of His Love and Who He Is.

I see it in the way that I’m loved by those around me and with the hopeful promise that one day Our Lord will lead me to the right person.