THREE LITTLE WORDS

1 Corinthians 13:8a "Love never fails.";  13:13b "But the greatest of these is love."

There are three little words that have probably been used more than any other words put in a phrase.  Those little words are "I love you".  I can remember hearing these words as a baby and growing up, always being told "I love you" by my parents, family members; always hearing them. So many have these memories. But these little words, haven't always been what they were meant to be.

These words "I love you" have become the most frequently and misused words known.  These three words put in this phrase have made people jubilent, happy, overwhelmed, depressed, lifeless, go from live to death, just these three words.  These words have so often been used to entice, con, wear down, entrap rather than the intent to show adoration, affection, to instill warmth and belonging.  People have used the words I love you to get others to do their bidding, earn money for them, and ultimately shaming them. I know people that hate to hear the words as they became nothing more than work for them. Told that they were loved to get them to do something they did not want to do, but because of that love, did it.  What have these three words done to so  many.

"I love you", these little words were to be used to show a true affection for one another.  These words are heaven inspired, shown by the Father who loved us so much that He willingly sent His Son to die so we could be forgiven of our sins, so we could be in a loving relationship with the Father.  Love words meant to pour warmth and confidence into a person.  To have a true sense of belonging. To be the basis of a man and woman as they would fall in love and be married.  Love that would stand no matter what they faced on a daily walk with each other.  I have found that the only love based marriages that withstood all were those founded in God, with a three-fold love relationship, true love, real love. 

Not all love relationships are true or real love.  A lot of marriages are based on practical things, money, convenience; they are based on children.  When the children grow up, there is no base to the marriage.  Marriages fail because there is no true love, although the words "I love you" were used a lot. Usually used to convince the partner to stay within the bounds of the relationship; not to leave; selfish reasons that had nothing to do with real love.

The three little words have been used to bribe, threaten....I know my God has grieved over the manner in which His words, those words that show so much love from Him, have been used.  I know I have heard them so many times, in so many ways, for so many reasons in my life.  I hate to think back on the ways I probably used them also.  But I did not know, as I am sure you have not known, that these three words, these words hold such power in them.  The power of love, real love, true love...that power can heal hearts that have been broken before, those words can take someone who feels like no one could care for them and make their heart swell with joy; it can take a child that has been abused and turn her heart to trust another when real love, true love is spoken and given.  Love is a powerful word and when used as part of the three word phase "I love you", it can give life to another, a meaningful life.

Love, the word that God gave us to show us His true, His real feelings needs to take a higher place in our minds.  Those three words, "I love you" should not be spoken so lightly, spoken to use, to abuse.  They should be spoken to give husbands and wifes, parents and children, and precious friends a heart felt knowledge of how another feels about them, real, true feelings.  Not wanting anything in return, but giving of their hearts as God has given of His.  Pour out love, the best part of each of ourselves to another as God pours out His love to us.

Those three words "I love you" become an anthem when used back to the Lord.  A praise offering of thanksgiving, opening your heart up to Him, loving, loving, and loving Him.  He knows our hearts, so the words had better be true when expressed to God.  You cannot fool Him like some people are fooled. He knows the importance of those words, and He loves to hear you tell Him you love Him, that your whole heart is His.

My Lord, my precious Lord, how I love You.  These are not just three little words to me, my God, and I so find them inadequate to tell You how I feel, but they are the words You gave for this expression, this feeling in my heart, this love.  I pray my love for You blesses You, Lord; I offer them to only You from my whole heart.

You are my everything Lord, and I hold these three little words in my heart for You, this 22nd day of February, 2011, "I love you".