27 May Present Not Perfect by Andrea Graff
In our culture, it’s easy to gain a false perception of what love is. Some of us may compare it to the fairy-tale feelings and #relationshipgoals we see on Instagram, while others of us see “love” as something that is fickle and leaves when things get hard. Most of this depends on our past experience, but none of it has to affect our future.
For some reason, love is a concept that captivates me. It always has, and it always will. That’s why I write about it and sing about it. That’s why I try my best to live it out each and every day. I’m not just talking about a romantic love, but a love that is always there, for anyone who needs it.
There’s a lot about love I can’t figure out or put into words. But here’s one thing I have learned. Our love will never be perfect but that shouldn’t stop it from always being present.
Whether it’s a relationship with a parent, sibling friend or significant other, we can’t expect each other to be perfect. But we should expect people to stand by us, and we should be willing to do the same. To stick it out. To love each other through whatever challenge we are facing. Y’all, that’s what love is.
It’s the kind of love that Jesus so beautifully portrayed all in Romans 5:8… “I loved you at your darkest.” Jesus doesn’t love us based on our actions. And as He says in John 15:12, we are to love each other as He has loved us.
One of the songs on my latest album is called “Shine,” and it talks about this very thing. A love that is there in the good and the bad. That’s the kind of love I want to give and have, because that’s the love that makes a difference.
I’ll be the first to say that I have failed to love when I should have extended it to someone who really needed it. I have chosen pride over people. But I am learning what choosing love leads to in my life and the life of those I love… so I make it a point to do my best each and every day to choose it. Will you?
I think if we will choose to love the way God does—not leaving each other in the dark when things get hard—our lives will really take a turn for the better. When we choose to lend our light to those who are burning out, beautiful things happen.
So, keep on shining for those you love. It catches on.
Love you guys.
Andrea