When Love Gets Messy

Perfect love casts out fear.

You have heard it before, right?  Taken from 1 John 4:18, it’s a common phrase we keep in the back of our minds, a truth we hang on to.

I’m all for casting out fear, sign me right up for that, but what exactly does perfect love look like anyway?  I think I’m better suited for messy love than a perfect one.

I am better at the love that sometimes has strings attached, the love with expectations.  I do the love that gets frustrated, at times, with the people I care about most and the love that is occasionally self-seeking.  But perfect love?  I’m pretty sure I messed that one up long ago, and yet again just this morning.

So what’s a girl to do when love gets messy?  What is left for those of us who fail at perfect?  

 

The truth is, that perfect looks different than you might think.  The root of that word “perfect” doesn’t mean flawless at all.  I’m digging deep and dissecting this verse over at Sweet Jesus Ministries today.  Join me?  I promise, there is hope for all of you, all of us,  who do love a little messy.