Love Hurts

I love storybook endings.

Sparks fly. Love conquers all. A lonely beauty finally marries her knight in shining armor. Those blissful scenes still give me goosebumps. Go on and laugh. But now that you’re smiling imagine the possibilities. Love is magical when we believe in miracles. We only need to buckle our seat belts for the incredible rollercoaster ride. One minute it’s smooth sailing. The next, it’s bumpy. But each moment makes the journey worth traveling ~ even when love hurts.

Candy and Cupids

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It doesn’t matter if you’re a WWII Gen, Baby Boomer, Gen X, Y, or Z. It’s the one day we all agree to celebrate romance and our universal cravings of chocolate, love letters, candlelight dinners, and weekend getaways. We can thank William Shakespeare for romanticizing it. But what if we understood the dark origins of this festival of candy and cupids? Would this knowledge give a new meaning to the thought of breaking someone’s heart?

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Most people want to fall in love, but they know the journey to forevermore is paved with more than concrete plans or blissful dreams. Sometimes life gets in the way of true love. Quicksand-like circumstances can take hold of our hearts and won’t let go. And sometimes, deceptions fire left on its own burns scars into our souls. I want to believe love is worth the journey even if it’s a four-letter word.

He’s my favorite hero

I remember the day I met my husband. His warm gestures, conversation, and sincere kindness melted my hardened heart in a matter of hours. I tried to ward him off, but his gorgeous dark green eyes had a supernatural mesmerizing way. Picture a petite red-headed girl that looked like one humongous goosebump. After a few moments, I knew. He’s different. Yippie! My stomach turned—but in a good way. That was thirty years ago. Four sons, two daughters in love, and four precious grandchildren have blessed us in ways I could never have hoped to understand. He’s my favorite hero (after God in heaven and my dad). It didn’t take too long for me to realize this kind of love is a once in a lifetime Godsend. And yes, it is also totally undeserved.

We promise to accept each other forever. The good, bad, and ugly moments of our life mingle and settle in for the ride. We decide to stay when we want to run away from the one we promised to always cherish. Love is an active choice to embrace forgiveness—even when it hurts.

The road to forevermore is crooked, steep, and full of potholes

We walk together, bearing all our scars for everyone to see. Some couples can’t bear to look ahead and wait for the sun to shine on them again—Others wait for the first sign of morning light and then realize they’re still holding hands. Let’s choose to hold on no matter what each day brings, to stay faithful and to fill our beach bags and backpacks with memories. We’ll hope most are good, and pray our lives are examples of the reality of true love’s sacrifice and pain. We show our vibrant inner colors even when others only see a million shades of gray. We’re painting a beautiful rainbow together, climbing our own mountain one step at a time, until all that remains is the truth of the vows we made on the day we were wed. For better, for worse, in sickness and in health. Love is the choice we made till death do us part.

Till death do us part

How awesome is our God? He calls us to love in such unconditional and humble ways…even when it hurts. Sometimes, He tells us to walk down roads we don’t want to travel, but then He faithfully leads us to hidden treasure along the way. I remember a few of these supernatural moments in my life when The Holy of Holies opened my eyes and ears and allowed me to catch a glimpse of the spiritual realm . . . when again, He called me to be the watchman on four of my darkest nights. Though it wasn’t easy to hold a loved one’s hand as their life ebbed away, unseen angels encircled me and calmed my heart.

True treasure

It’s hard to comprehend that God would give me such treasure—a parting gift from heaven before they took their last breath. To watch them cross over to heaven and know we will see our loved ones again. The certainty of a better place sealed with one last kiss—and yet, I wonder why . . .

Love hurts

Love leaves deep scars. It wounds us and marks us for life. If our hearts aren’t strong enough to endure incredible pain, we might be left breathless or alone. Love is like a fire or a cloud that sends torrential rains. It’s not a lie told to make us cry. But. I promise you . . . It will.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

~ The way to love ~

If I speak in the tongues of angels, but have not love I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I have. And if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13

We all know love hurts. Do you recall a time in your life when you had to forgive someone you trusted or endured the pain of losing a loved one? Your story matters. Please join the conversation in the comments section below.

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Wishing you blessings, peace, health, and love for the journey…

Joann

Joann Claypoole

Joann Claypoole is an author, speaker, and former spa-girl entrepreneur. She's a wife, mother of four sons, “Numi” to four grandchildren, doggie-mom of two. The award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helper’s (ages 5-9 MJ Publishing2015) would rather be writing, hiking in the mountains, or inviting deer and other wildlife to stay for dinner near her western NC writing retreat. Visit her website: joannclaypoole.com and WordPress blog: https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com/

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12 comments

  1. This story about true love really hits home. Love is more than happy times. Well written. I had to share this with my friends on FB.

  2. Joann
    You have such a way with words always but this story of true love brought tears to my eyes
    It is so true. Exactly what God intended
    We are blessed to have you in our lives

  3. Absolutely beautiful! I’m so inspired by this. Love your words about love. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your gifts!

  4. Beautiful Joann.
    I remember the day Dennis asked you to marry him. If I’m not mistaken, you had me watch Joey that morning. You were on your way to work when you heard those four magical words “Will you marry me?” and off you went to your knight in shining armor. I’m so glad your life turned out the way it has. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find their perfect someone. You have be surely blessed.
    XOXO friends for life.

    1. Wow. That’s so awesome that you remember that day. Yes, I’m blessed—and you are part of that blessing. God sent you to me in a dark time in my life. A friend that was always there for me. I love you and wish you many more blessings too. Thank you for reading and commenting on my stories. Please feel free to share with your FB friends. Love you! ????????????????

      1. How could I forget such a cool proposal. I was so worried that you were going to have an accident on the turnpike! You were so excited. You were my best friend and I was so happy for you and Joey. I miss my bestie and the most awesome hairstylist I’ve ever had. I need to plan a trip to visit you just do you can fix my hair. XOXO

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