When I was looking for this quote, I found that as many say it is a verb and not a noun as those that say it is a noun and not a verb. The emotional side of me would tend to heartily agree that love is a verb more than a noun...until recently. Yes, love is a verb. It is frequently misused and mistreated and misapplied as a verb.
Skepticism and the desire to manipulate can cause us to add conditions to our love...as in "if you love me, you will..." or "I will love you if..." Sometimes we do it without realizing it because the habit to try and control those around is second nature. My visible reluctance to do a favor might indicate a lack of love whereas stepping in to help another might give evidence of an unselfish love. We know love when we see it, but we also recognize when it is missing.
Love as a noun can be something we withhold or lavish on another. (I personally prefer being lavished with it by Tommy.)
I try to put love into all the baking I do for others. It then becomes an ingredient...the most important one. Sometimes love is seen in my hands as I dig in the dirt to allow life to bloom or as I bathe a grandchild or dust away cobwebs...which reminds me...
It is also a piece of clothing. We can wear it. We need to wear it so that all may see and know that we are God's for God is love. He says so Himself.
1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
'Love' is abused - both as a noun and a verb...especially as a verb. We love coffee, we love flowers, we love shopping, we love vacations, and we love pens and paper..or maybe that's just me.
Love is a weapon.
I can fight my battles with ugliness, resentment, words that sting, and silence. My best weapon, however....my most effective weapon is love. Love moves big things. Love changes people. Love breaks down walls. Love wins.
Even if the outcome is different than what was desired, if love is the weapon, even the loser wins. Never underestimate its power. It conquers evil every day.
Do it, wear it, fight with it. It is the solution to every problem, and the sweetest ending to every day.
