In the beginning of a relationship, you don’t think clearly. You’re too caught up in the flattering words and the pretty face. You did not expect it to become something more, something deeper. You're attached. In the middle of a relationship, you take a risk and fall in love. It just happens so fast. You give your fragile heart to someone who is not able to protect it and cherish it, but you trust them with it. Your relationship becomes something deeper, and you want something more promising. Promises break. People change. Now you are left in loosely patched up pieces, still trying to figure out if you are going to ever love again.
Many of us love too much. Being in love is great. It can be magical, but I am going to let you in on secret. You don't have to be in love with someone right now. Have you ever thought about that? The world has ingrained in our minds that you have to find someone before you graduate college. You have find "the one" in the first two years college and have an expensive, sparkling ring on your left hand your senior year. After one relationship, we have to immediately be in another. We don't have time to heal if we jump from person to person seeking our validity or self-worth in them. Your heart will continue to be in a strewn mess. After being through so much heartbreak, many of us are afraid to love again. That one serious relationship has torn you apart. Though it has been many months, you are still left picking up the pieces.
Let me tell you another secret. You will love again. There are so many other people, places and things to love. Love others. Love your family. Love your friends. Love yourself. You want to be loved. You want to be adored. You want to be wanted, but the things you want are not always what you need. There are more important things out there than finding your soul mate. It's better to work on yourself before you can be with someone else. You are so focused on finding "the one" that you lose yourself in the process. Maybe "the one" is actually you. You want to be the best version of yourself before meeting the love of your life. It's hard to be the person you need to be when you're looking for yourself in someone else. Fall in love with yourself.
So continue to grow. Fall in love with opportunities. Fall in love with moments. There are so many other people, places and things you can give your love and time to. Most importantly, make sure you give your love to the One who loves you with an everlasting love. Don't waste time and energy on someone who does not expound the same amount towards you. We entangle ourselves in the messes of love and life that we often forget where true love is found. We forget who loved us before anyone else tried to love us in a way we needed to be. Be deeply rooted and grounded in God's love so nothing can pluck you from knowing what true, genuine love is. All doubt of unworthiness will disappear when you love the one who loved us first. Fear and distress are never found in Him.
You will find love again. In the meantime, sprinkle your love in others' lives today. There might be someone who is need of good company or a companion. Your love does not always have to involve a knight in shining armor. Let your love be genuine not only to yourself, but to others also. Measure your life in love.
