No fear.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."

(1 John 4:18)

I've been blessed in life with good relationships - and good examples of loving relationships around me. I didn't grow up around abuse or neglect. My parents modeled a loving, committed, equality-filled marriage. My dad was able to live that because his parents modeled that for him. I, in turn, seek to model that to my children, as well. True love puts the needs of others ahead of your own.

In the book of 1st John, the author speaks a lot about LOVE. WE're able to love because God loved us first. But the verse that really tugged at my heart today was: "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." Fear should NEVER be a part of any relationship. Absolutely never. If you are in a relationship where you're made to feel afraid, GET OUT! And if you're creating a sense of fear in any relationship, GET HELP!

The author of 1st John reminds us that when we use fear in our relationships, we have not reached perfection in love. Not even close. We tend to think that "nobody's perfect," which is true. But that's also no excuse to settle for less in love.

No fear in love.

Just love.

Always.

AMEN.