Love’s Twin

I was listening to the song “Our Father’s Love”  this morning while walking. It got me to thinking, “Why is love, love?”  What is it that makes love what it is? We all want to be loved. Many of us have experienced God’s love, and recognize this special blessing in our lives. We have learned to tell when someone doesn't love us. Couples “fall in love”, and unfortunately some couples “fall out of love”. Sometimes even good friends who love each other lose trust because one offends the other, and the loving friendship ends.  People do bad things that hurt others, and love is replaced by hate. Maybe you have had someone that once loved you, to stop loving you, and you really don't know why. Love can become complicated.

Why is it that men and women and boys and girls have difficulty with love? When love goes awry we may find ourselves paralyzed by bitterness and resentment, and in a state of misery. I think that when love fades it is because we have separated love from its  twin. Love cannot survive in us if this happens. Love’s twin is Forgiveness. If you think about it the one thing that causes us to recognize the love of our Father is that he forgives us. The thing that distinguishes God above any other is that his unconditional love is based on his desire to forgive those who don't deserve to receive his love. The scripture says that God is Love. Jesus taught, “As the Father has forgiven us we should forgive others”. And so sometimes when another person hurts us, takes something we love away from us, or walks away from us never to return we want to take a scalpel, and cut away the forgiveness that is meant to stay connected to love. When we do that love loses its power in our lives. Without the power of love we give up our ability to be happy, to have joy, and to live at peace with ourselves, and with others. This is what makes us miserable.

I heard a preacher tell about a woman who had been through more than anyone should ever have to endure. He said that if any person had the right to not forgive it was this woman. However, it was evident by the joyous life she lived that she had overcome the hate, bitterness and resentment. He asked her what was it that made her decide to forgive her brutal offenders. She said,”I realized that there is too much hate in the world. I did not want to be the person who added to this viciousness. I could tell what unforgiveness was doing to me, and I didn't want to live the rest of my life being controlled by an unforgiving heart. By God’s power I was able to forgive.”

Love and forgiveness must stay together. Without forgiveness love would not have the power to change the world. In your life keep these sisters together. You will be glad you did.