Lesson #14

Lesson #14: Love is a gift not an obligation. I heard this earlier tonight and thought "that is the difference in my life now". In past years, I always felt obligated to do things for my family.

For example, when Sam and I were married in the early years, I found myself feeling obligated to do things. Since I loved him, I was "obligated". I'd say for a long time, I probably did equate love to obligation. I dwelled on these obligations and it made me a very unhappy person. I hated doing things that I was "obligated" to do. I was so anti-doing simple things that Sam asked of me. I was so "anti" that I made sure never to ask him for anything because I could do it all on my own. Sad but true. He always wanted to help me, but I never wanted his help.

Now, all those really small things that I hated doing before...are so simple now, AND I actually like doing them. Love is a gift not an obligation.

Even with my family, I usually had a "reason" as to why I couldn't make family events, and if I went...it was my obligation. Now, I love and enjoy being with my family. And WANT to be at family events. Love is a gift not an obligation.

"Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." Corinthians 13:13