Love is not a feeling...

...it is an ability.

Thanks to my younger brother (and I use the term younger because he is taller than me!) sent me an email the other day recommending the movie "Dan in Real Life." (Thanks ScienceGuy for the recommendation!) I must admit, it was a movie I had seen the previews for and thought, "That's a stupid, funny kind of movie and not my sort of movie."

I was so wrong.

While this movie isn't one that you will see up for any awards, it is actually a touching comedy about love and life and everything in between. No, I didn't laugh out loud or anything, but it had my attention the whole way through, and I must admit I wasn't sure how it was going to end. I liked that too...movies are too predictable these days.

And in the midst of the movie, one character said, "Love is not a feeling, it is an ability."

That caught me.

God tends to do that. I''ll be watching a movie and BAMMO, something will get me. Grab me. Stop me.

I have always thought of love as a feeling. Afterall, it is emotions that motivate our hearts. You feel attracted to someone because of how they make you FEEL. Whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual, it is typically a feeling.

I FEEL emotion towards my students. And my friends. And my family.

But the more I've pondered this quote (And I sat and thought for quite a while after the movie was over.) the more I also think it is an ability.

Not everyone has the ability to love in the same capacity.

Some have been hurt by family members, friends, co-workers, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends...well, my list could go on and on.

And due to those hurts, some people can't let others in.

Or they can't be kind to others in a way they used to be able to because of their "stuff."

Love is an ability...

I want to be able to love those around me TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

There are SO MANY scriptures that talk about love. God knew before there was time that we would have trouble loving one another.

And really, it doesn't HAVE TO be that hard.

I look at my students and they love me unconditionally, no questions asked. I get a hug everyday from just about each one of them. I don't go looking for it, they WANT to do that. They have been through heartbreak that I can't even imagine, yet they truly love me to the best of their ability. I want to love like that.

I awoke this morning to Roxie wanting to be with me. Then I moved into the kitchen and Rudy sat on my lap and cuddled with me. No question about it, those dogs love me and I love them. I want to love like that.

My parents have let me come and go to IHOP this week as much as I want to, eat their food, rented me movies, bought me clothes, and talked to me and given me some incredible words of encouragement. I want to love like that.

I went to IHOP today and felt God's love upon my heart. I want to love like that.

I went to see an old friend and his fiancee today, and someday I want to love like that too.

Love is not a feeling, it is an ability...

Just like the ability to play bongos, teach kids, or encourage others, it takes practice to build one's ability in something.

My goal in life is to love like my students, Roxie and Rudy, and God...TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.