Love is greater than any force you may now define as love

Feelings comprise and compromise love. Butterflies, racing heartbeats, ecstatic highs and devastating lows are par for the course, but you can't mistake them as being the course! We must understand that "feeling in love" is not the same as living that love. If you think that feeling is what love is, you are in for such a rude awakening. Feelings do not a solid, maturing and deep relationship make.

Love is more than a jumble of emotions or momentary tongue-tiedness. It's hard work. The sooner we all understand that, incorporate it and live it--the better chance of success we will have! Lovers fight, they yell, they say stupid hurtful things to each other. They get moody, confrontational, pissy and proud. Nobody's perfect. But I think so many of us go into relationships thinking that love comes naturally that when we do screw up and it's not all good, we think that we should separate. You can't go into a relationship thinking you can change someone! And you can't go into a relationship thinking that feelings will get you through the rough patches!

What determines a lasting, truly blessed relationship is knowing that you are companions--you mate for life, man! You hold each other accountable. You don't live your life in vacuums waiting for the other one to cater to you! That's foolishness! No, you must both be servants of one another. You must both desire and drive each other to distraction with your PRACTICAL love.

Not to say that romance and passion are not essential to a good relationship! They are integral! But it's the whole picture--romance, passion, servility, compromise, dedication, comfort, accountability that make it right! And that make it work! And that make it last!