I had meant to write this blog before my friend had written about how messy love is. As much wisdom that her blog contained, I'm still going to share my thoughts even if they don't compare to hers.

I have a dear friend whose birthday is coming up. I've spent a lot of time wracking my brain on what I could do to celebrate her life. It hit me that I really love this friend. I've probably learned more about love through her friendship than any other.

Our friendship is not perfect. I get upset with her and she gets upset with me. We've both made mistakes. But it is these areas where I have learned that love does not have a capacity. It does not have limits. And love has no conditions.

I do because I am human. But excellent love does not.

To really know what love is capable of, you have to learn first that it is not easy. It's not meant to be because it is a choice, and it is a commandment. It is not in our nature even though we were created with it. But because we were created with it, we can choose to reflect what it really looks like. And my friend challenges me to do this.

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things hopes all things, endures all things"

That right there is from the bible and clearly states that love is not easy. Everything that it's about and that it's for and that it's against are things we all have to learn to do. I have failed showing what love looks like according to this description many many times. I'm sure I will many many more times.

But it is the very next line that keeps me wanting to show it... because it gives me hope. It keeps me going.. it keeps me wanting to love this particular friend even when I feel like I just can't anymore sometimes.

"Love never fails"

If there were anything I needed to believe about love, it's this. It doesn't fail when things are messy, dirty, chaotic, ridiculous, frustrating, hurtful, and circumstantial. It never fails and it transcends. And I learn this with the friendship I'm talking about.

I can speak words, bring gifts, do good, and give my insights...... but if these things are not backed up with love, it doesn't mean anything.

I guess the fact that it never fails is the reason why it's not easy, or in our nature. We will fail... but love never does and it's up to us to choose to reflect that.