The Greatest of All is Love

This post is part of a campaign for T.A. Barron’s new book – The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life.

In 2010 I wrote my Life List. After being a single mom for many years, getting divorced at the beginning of 2003, I added #54 to my list which says: open my heart to marry again. That was a challenge for me. To openly love another makes you vulnerable to get your heart broken. As a mom I felt I not only needed to protect my own heart but also the hearts of my children.

A little over two years later I met Andrew and we married in 2014.

When asked what I thought the meaning was of the word love I realized it brings forth more than one definition, more than one feeling. The vast complexity of love cannot be pinned down to only the kind of love you have for a spouse. My initial response on the subject was to think about my love for my kids.

I originally thought love was simple. I love life and that’s easy enough. I love my extended family. I love helping others. I love the world around me. I love to travel and see the beauty of all things being created different. The more I thought about love I realized love is much deeper than a simple definition. Love can mean or be interpreted differently by each individual.

When comparing words that define the meaning of life, without love what do you have?

Now faith, hope, and love remain – these three things – and the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13

Love is joy. Love is longing. Love is the ache in your chest when there is a missing piece. Love is celebration. Love is beauty. Love is passion. Love is happiness. Love is completion. Love is protection.

What is love to you?

This post was sponsored by author T. A. Barron and was inspired by his upcoming gift book “The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life.” This book is the wizard Merlin’s answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?” Surprisingly, the answer has only seven words — including love. But they are the most powerful words of all. The Wisdom of Merlin is available for preorder now, and will be available wherever books are sold on March 23, 2015.