We are inundated with hearts and roses and candy, all in an effort to demonstrate and convince someone that we love them. I was shocked how quickly the shelves were emptied. I went to the grocery store the day before and thought, this is a lot of stuff. Honestly, I laughed a little, because I erroneously believed that there was no way all of that stuff would sell. I went to the store on Valentine’s Day and the shelves were bare. Yep, I was wrong. I stood for a minute and thought all the stuff is gone. It was an eclectic mix of candies, mini stuffed animals, large stuffed animals, cards, balloons in various shapes floating and even tied even in the produce aisle near the strawberries, SMH.
Have we reduced love to stuff? Is it based on the latest jewelry fad or expensive candy or an extravagant floral arrangement? What is the price of love? I think a more appropriate question is what is the price of stuff?
Love is free. It is knowing that your presence is needed and stopping what you’re doing to be present. Love is listening to understand and not to be right. Love is forgiving without a stipulation attached. Love is bringing the best version of who you are to our world to leave it better than you found it. Love is showing up because it is the right thing to do, although it may not be the easiest thing to do. Love is seeing the other person for the divine creation that they are.
In these moments of consumer driven love fests. Let’s pause to understand and show authentic love for each other and our communities. Our love is more radical than stuff, because it is anchored in something greater than us.
~KDP