What Would You Say to a Young Person Who Asks You, "Does True Love Really Exist?"

[BrotherMike]

Yes, true love exists... Jesus! I also believe you can find someone amazing for your life, but you need to pray about it and seek peace from the Holy Spirit. Love takes time, need to give it time to really get to know that person and don’t settle for less than what you are looking for!

 

[laughingheart]

Before I rushed to speak I would rush to listen. Often we don't know what a person is really asking. Why did he ask this question? Is this about romantic love? I am not so sure. Is it about the nature of love? What about parental love? He was adopted. Is he wondering about how his mom could give him up, or, if you love your baby how could you hand them over? Did his mom really love him if she did this? (I am guessing at possible real questions in his brain). He is too young to understand some of the reasons why giving up a child can be a painful act of love. Not knowing the young man, I have no way of knowing. I would say that the best thing you could do is to spend time and really hear him. Sometimes even adults don't know their real questions or issues. Sometimes they have to dig down a few layers before they get to their real questions. Sometimes the fear of the truth prevents people from going on that journey. He is obviously searching. Love on him, pray for him and listen to him. That will be a huge answer to a question not even asked. Bless you for caring.

 

[BrotherMike]

Before I rushed to speak I would rush to listen.

James 1:19 one of my favorite verses I try to incorporate in my life every day.

 

[Adstar]

I believe pure perfect Love does exist.. But only from God.. Human beings may give it a genuine try but no human being can love another without faults and failures..

We need to always have the forgiveness ability ready to use in our relationships with other people.. And oh boy you will need to use it repeatedly if you are going to have a relationship that lasts..

Matthew 18: KJV
21 "¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? {22} Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

 

[p_rehbein]

Regarding the Question posed in the Title of the OP:

Yes

 

[seoulsearch]

Before I rushed to speak I would rush to listen. Often we don't know what a person is really asking. Why did he ask this question? Is this about romantic love? I am not so sure. Is it about the nature of love? What about parental love? He was adopted. Is he wondering about how his mom could give him up, or, if you love your baby how could you hand them over? Did his mom really love him if she did this? (I am guessing at possible real questions in his brain). He is too young to understand some of the reasons why giving up a child can be a painful act of love. Not knowing the young man, I have no way of knowing. I would say that the best thing you could do is to spend time and really hear him. Sometimes even adults don't know their real questions or issues. Sometimes they have to dig down a few layers before they get to their real questions. Sometimes the fear of the truth prevents people from going on that journey. He is obviously searching. Love on him, pray for him and listen to him. That will be a huge answer to a question not even asked. Bless you for caring.

Hi Laughingheart,

These are wonderfully insightful questions that I will have to keep tucked in the back of my mind for next time.

I should have clarified in the OP that the person I was talking about is "adopted" just to me and in my heart -- his mom is my childhood best friend, making us "sisters", so I just call him my nephew. He was raised by, lives with, and is very much loved by his biological family.

Unfortunately, I don't get to spend much time with them so the last couple of days, he was following me around, asking a lot of questions about my life. He wanted to know why I didn't have the same life that his family had (married with kids) and he was starting to question why my life had turned out so differently, and would he end up like his parents, or like Aunt Seoul?

When I said in the OP that I asked God to please not turn me into a cliche -- I won't be the one giving happy euphemisms about how God is out there "preparing the right person for you," as has been told to me hundreds of times and as I read over and over on forums such as this. I know it's cheerful advice that sounds faith-based, but it also has no Scriptural bearing.

God might very well be doing that. But, He might very well NOT be doing that either, and no one is guaranteed that "right person." When I was younger, I didn't think there were any alternatives to getting married and having a family, so that reality that God might take my life a different route has been difficult for me to accept.

I also never thought I'd be in a position where others might look to my life as an example of how to live, because I always felt like my life had turned out to be a failure (according to various Christian expectations.) This young person's questions were a jolt back into reality, because I realized that no matter what my situation was, people were looking at it, and I have to really dig in and let God use it as a testimony instead of my usual temptations to drown in sorrow.

 

[Krumbeard]

I'd say yes it does. But it doesn't look like what is portrayed in movies or media.

There will be hurt.

I was talking to my niece several weeks ago. She says to me "I think if you want to be loved, you have to be willing to get hurt."

I thought that was interesting.

 

[Solemateleft]

YES - UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - is TRUE LOVE...

If two people are equally committed to love each other UNCONDITIONALLY FOREVER and live up to their promise(s) equally... That is the best anyone could ever hope for...

And yes, I do believe that man's best friend (Dog) was put on this earth to show us HIS perfect example of such UNCONDITIONAL love...

Unfortunately, many people are just unable - literally lack the capacity for permanence in a relationship...

Recall: there is no such thing as a perfect marriage - just two imperfect people who refuse to give-up upon each other...

Photo of 96Yr Old Husband Feeding Wife With Alzheimer’s Proves Life-Long Love Exists

 

[laughingheart]

Hi Laughingheart,

These are wonderfully insightful questions that I will have to keep tucked in the back of my mind for next time.

I should have clarified in the OP that the person I was talking about is "adopted" just to me and in my heart -- his mom is my childhood best friend, making us "sisters", so I just call him my nephew. He was raised by, lives with, and is very much loved by his biological family.

Unfortunately, I don't get to spend much time with them so the last couple of days, he was following me around, asking a lot of questions about my life. He wanted to know why I didn't have the same life that his family had (married with kids) and he was starting to question why my life had turned out so differently, and would he end up like his parents, or like Aunt Seoul?

When I said in the OP that I asked God to please not turn me into a cliche -- I won't be the one giving happy euphemisms about how God is out there "preparing the right person for you," as has been told to me hundreds of times and as I read over and over on forums such as this. I know it's cheerful advice that sounds faith-based, but it also has no Scriptural bearing.

God might very well be doing that. But, He might very well NOT be doing that either, and no one is guaranteed that "right person." When I was younger, I didn't think there were any alternatives to getting married and having a family, so that reality that God might take my life a different route has been difficult for me to accept.

I also never thought I'd be in a position where others might look to my life as an example of how to live, because I always felt like my life had turned out to be a failure (according to various Christian expectations.) This young person's questions were a jolt back into reality, because I realized that no matter what my situation was, people were looking at it, and I have to really dig in and let God use it as a testimony instead of my usual temptations to drown in sorrow.

Thanks so much for sharing the context. I would say that with these questions it still begets other questions. "Why do you ask?" "What are your thoughts?" "What are your hopes?". He might be exploring the possibilities, he might have worries. Is he worried that he might not find love or be worthy of love?
When I went away to University my little sister came to stay with me for a weekend. One day she said she had a question, a special question. I braced myself. She asked where she came from. I started into the "where babies come from" talk. She listened quietly and then said, "OK but I mean how did we not exist and then we exist and do our souls just get made? Where they always there and hiding or if we are forever then how did we start?". Yup. I didn't listen long enough.
I think it is wonderful that he is open to asking these questions and it is a mark of respect that he felt comfortable enough to talk to you on this level. He is exploring. It may be a curious mind. It may be that he is trying to make sense of his reality. It may be the truth that none of us like, which is that God doesn't send us memos of what is to unfold in our lives. The only truth that applies for this is that we know that God is good. What that ends up looking like in our lives is sometimes a crazy quilt of patches. We won't understand the big picture until we are home, at least for most of us. Bless you again for being the sort of person that he can trust.

 

[BlessedByGod]

Yes, true love exists... Jesus! I also believe you can find someone amazing for your life, but you need to pray about it and seek peace from the Holy Spirit. Love takes time, need to give it time to really get to know that person and don’t settle for less than what you are looking for!

The biggest AMEN I could possibly give!!! Well said!

 

[BlessedByGod]

YES - UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - is TRUE LOVE...

If two people are equally committed to love each other UNCONDITIONALLY FOREVER and live up to their promise(s) equally... That is the best anyone could ever hope for...

And yes, I do believe that man's best friend (Dog) was put on this earth to show us HIS perfect example of such UNCONDITIONAL love...

Unfortunately, many people are just unable - literally lack the capacity for permanence in a relationship...

Recall: there is no such thing as a perfect marriage - just two imperfect people who refuse to give-up upon each other...

Photo of 96Yr Old Husband Feeding Wife With Alzheimer’s Proves Life-Long Love Exists

I completely agree! Seems to be lacking in this "Me me me" society this day in age. So sad, as those people will not ever (unless God change their heart, and if so praise be to Jesus for that, truly!) really know what it is to know love for another. It seems to me more about the "what can you give me" attitude, instead of coming to the table also with the "I understand we are two imperfect people, but I see in you what has been placed in my heart to love in another and I want to be with you and No Other for all my days..." . To give of yourself, unconditionally to the one you love is truly, well love. If we pray for the right person and wait for the right person he will / might (depending on his will, as we should always want His Will to be first served) bring them into our lifes. I pray going into getting to know someone, if it be his will, then let it continue. If it does, then whatever doors he would keep open. For them to continue to be open and whatever doors he would have shut hepp them to be shut. That I would be with the right person. I know that it is possible, to love someone so unconditionally , as I have. They didnt feeling the same nor wanting that from me. Ok, but then that just means she wasn't the one. I could go into how she had cancer and how I loved her as much as she allowed me through as much it, but that is not the reason I am posting. Sorry. Short is not my forte.
In short, I know it is possible to love unconditionally. It was nothing short of a blessing of Gods to fill my heart and let me feel that way for her. And it helped me to better understand (millions more over than this mind you) how he loves Mexico so very unconditionally. For the personal thoughts on this and rambling. Hope this helps someone to believe in there hearts that it is possible...because it truly is.

 

[BlessedByGod]

I completely agree! Seems to be lacking in this "Me me me" society this day in age. So sad, as those people will not ever (unless God change their heart, and if so praise be to Jesus for that, truly!) really know what it is to know love for another. It seems to me more about the "what can you give me" attitude, instead of coming to the table also with the "I understand we are two imperfect people, but I see in you what has been placed in my heart to love in another and I want to be with you and No Other for all my days..." . To give of yourself, unconditionally to the one you love is truly, well love. If we pray for the right person and wait for the right person he will / might (depending on his will, as we should always want His Will to be first served) bring them into our lifes. I pray going into getting to know someone, if it be his will, then let it continue. If it does, then whatever doors he would keep open. For them to continue to be open and whatever doors he would have shut hepp them to be shut. That I would be with the right person. I know that it is possible, to love someone so unconditionally , as I have. They didnt feeling the same nor wanting that from me. Ok, but then that just means she wasn't the one. I could go into how she had cancer and how I loved her as much as she allowed me through as much it, but that is not the reason I am posting. Sorry. Short is not my forte.
In short, I know it is possible to love unconditionally. It was nothing short of a blessing of Gods to fill my heart and let me feel that way for her. And it helped me to better understand (millions more over than this mind you) how he loves Mexico so very unconditionally. For the personal thoughts on this and rambling. Hope this helps someone to believe in there hearts that it is possible...because it truly is.

Lol I'm sure he loves Mexico, but that was suppose to read Me. 🙄 ahhhhhh spell check...

 

[Solemateleft]

 

[Krumbeard]

This is from someone I went to school with. She posted this sometime ago.
I had to screenshot it cause it was so good.