What is Love?

Happy Valentine's Day!
If you had to describe this day to someone how would you do it?
It's a day with us ladies at the center? We wake up to find chocolate and flowers. Maybe, if we're lucky an array of diamonds in some form or another. We go out to a nice fancy restaurant.
Why do we get all of this one may ask? It's because when one thinks of girls, these are just some of the things that come to mind. Well, women don't like Valentine's Day solely for this reason although those things are much needed :)
This is a special day set aside for ladies to simply be assured that they indeed are special and cherished.
But what do all the gifts have to do with making sure we feel wanted?
Simply because showing love is harder than buying things and scheduling activities to express one's love.
How do you "show" love. It's hard, and most people don't know how, hence all the delicious chocolate, beautiful flowers, sparkling diamonds, and fancy dinners.
Another question....what is TRUE love?
Only God can portray a perfect, flawless love. This kind of love, true love, is what everyone longs for. We know it exists because we hear about it. The downfall, we don't know what it takes to express it. So we settle, for possessions that symbolize how much we care for that special person.
So how do WE portray love the way God has portrayed it to us? Simply, by commitment and sacrifice.
What? Commitment? Sacrifice? Are those words even in the dictionary now-a-days?
Unfortunately, America does not do a very good job at protraying such qualities...in the right way that is; our priorities are all out of wack.
Sure, America is committed and sacrificial: We commit 30 minutes on Thursday nights to The Office, we sacrifice and facebook fast for a week.
So what? Is that TRUE commitment and sacrifice?
In a selfish way, yes. But that is contradicting because commitment and sacrifice should be a humbling act in serving others and denying self.
Now, I am not bashing America. We are not that vain. Our soldiers and leaders are the most committed people we know; they would lay down their lives for our country. People in ministry wake up daily with the mindset to further God's Kingdom, not theirs. Medical personnel go to work determined to make people better and save lives. Teachers go to their prospective schools to love and teach their students in order to give them a future. Lawyers work hours upon hours for the betterment of their clients; to proclaim them not guilty. Mothers wake up and tend to their family; sunrise to sundown.
We are considerate, loving people for the most part.
But we are not perfect. God is, and He can help us love in a way that will make this world a better place if we are willing to surrender our lives to His kind of love.

LOYALTY
OBEDIENCE
VULNERABILITY
ENCOURAGING

Are we loyal to our family, friends, coworkers, etc.?
Do we obey God right away every time He asks us to do something?
Are we vulnerable to our mistakes, take criticism well, and look to change in order to become more like Christ?
Are we encouraging to others or are we complaining and always wishing for better?
What do these characteristics have to do with love?
What do they not have to do with love?
I believe that if we practice such things that not just Valentine's Day but EVERY day will be better!