Excerpt from DRAMA, an upcoming release by Lacresha Hayes

LOVE CHALLENGES

We try to define love based upon what we feel. It’s our natural way, the way many are taught, but the most erroneous and dangerous way to attempt it. That brings a challenge in defining and showing love, which challenge only grows without a true relationship with God.
    As a child, I had one definition of love. As I grew up and in experiences, my definition changed and evolved, but not necessarily for the best. In fact, hard life warped my ideas of love so badly that many of my dreams, goals and relationships were affected by it.
    When I started up with Jay the first time, it was the fact that he was much older and more settled that drew me in. I figured he’d know how to love me and protect me. When we started up the second time, I was cautious and tried to talk to my emotions, tame them so that I’d feel nothing. But feelings are a small part of love. Love is an action that gives and gives and gives without counting how much has been given or tallying what is owed for all that has been given. The emotion of love is that overwhelming sensation that says even when you’re hurting me, I cannot imagine causing you pain. I’ll take your insults, your injuries, your callousness and I’ll care even more for you. I don’t see what you’re doing or hear what you’re saying. I see your heart and the issues that are springing up there that are causing your actions and I forgive you because I know you need my love and forgiveness more than my judgment or retaliation. Wow, the power of love.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2011 by Lacresha Hayes. Unedited excerpt of DRAMA, an upcoming release.