Humans are always looking for love, whether in school, at an extracurricular activity, with a group of friends or even among family. We look for a place to belong, be part of and be loved.
Growing up, I remember hearing in my great-grandmother’s church about this Father who loved me. I remember sitting in one of the Sunday school classrooms, waiting impatiently to run around and draw with the other kids.
The caregivers would try to calm us down and share stories with us, but I never really paid attention to what they said.
I look back, and apart from remembering all the rascal things I did as a kid, like throwing toys around with a target on someone or drawing on the walls with a Sharpie, I remember the caregivers sharing about a greater love, a deep love this Father had for me.
As I got older, I continued to hear about this God and his love, but I did not quite understand it. I saw love as an affection between two people, love toward someone you cared for, but how can a Father I cannot see love me? How was that even possible?
I kept these questions in my head and decided to search for what this love was. I noticed everyone around me was also looking for love, and to be accepted as they were.
Many of us tried to find love in a relationship and to play the best image of ourselves to fit the expectations of others, but love was not there, only hurt and disappointment.
So, what is love? Love is when you accept someone as they are, when you see past their imperfections and when you would do anything for that person. Love is when you deeply care for someone. Once, one of my aunts told me: “If we know where to look, we can find love all around us.”
Then, an idea came to my head. If I could change my perspective, maybe I could see love. I would wake up, play music and see the good side.
It was a surprise when I went out and started seeing everything differently. There was love when the bees pollinated the flowers. There was love when the rays of the sun touched my face. There was love when people smiled as I walked.
So if love was all around, what was the possibility of that Father to show me his love? It took me some time to figure out what his love was because how could someone give his life for me? (John 3:16) How could someone deeply love me before I was even born? (Jeremiah 1:5) How could someone love me when I am at my lowest? (Psalm 34:18) But once I opened my heart, I saw and felt his love toward me.
I could try to explain it, but there are no words other than whole. It changes you, fills you and reminds you how wonderfully created you are (Psalm 139:13-14). His love forgives and transforms you. His love is something I had never experienced before, and now I am so happy to walk, showing his love to others.
So, in the end, what is love? Love is everything around you. Open up your heart and start seeing with the eyes of love.
