? love

wonderful thoughts from our children:

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." --Manuel, age 8

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life."

--John, age 9

"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want

to do it. It takes too long." --Glenn, age 7

ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE

"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." --Anita, age 8

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet."

--Brian, age 7

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." --Gavin, age 8

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE

"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'Dinosaurs' is on television." --Jill, age 6

"Love is foolish ... but I still might try it sometime."

--Floyd, age 9

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." --Dave, age 8

"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard

enough." --Regina, age 10

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores."

--Del, age 6

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love."

--Alonzo, age 9

Those of us who are older smile because we know that children have such a limited understanding of what love is (although Alonzo has learned something that many adults haven't yet learned!). And yet, our own view of love is limited as well. And certainly our expression of love is limited and faulty.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (I John 4:7-8)

May you look to God for the ultimate example of love as you seek to be more loving toward others today.