true love:
going deeper than the disney definition

By Kylie Jacobs 
Images from: www.weheartit.com 

We all dream of that one special guy we will spend the rest of our lives with. Someone who will bring you chamomile tea when you have a cold, hug you when you’re hurting, and always be there for you. This a young girls dream and always will be, because every true princess is supposed to have a prince, right? 

The Disney Definition says that love at first sight is real, and you’re supposed to marry the first person you fall for. (Even if it’s only been a day! Ha! Remember Enchanted? Or Anna and Hans, in Frozen?)

Love and first sight is not always the case. Actually, I have talked to a lot of happily married couples who said that they had no idea they were going to marry each other. (No fireworks! No talking woodland creatures! Just real life.)

The point I am trying to make is, love doesn’t always end in “Happily Ever After.” You might meet a lot of handsome princes, but that doesn’t mean he will be your prince. Think about Jasmine, she had gone through many suiters, but it wasn’t until she met Aladdin on a street corner, that she had met her match. The world says that “True Love” is something defined by Disney and Hallmark movies. But what is true love, really?  

True love is taking the time to get to know someone, sticking with them even when in that moment you may not feel like it, and faithfully being there no matter what. These are all signs of real love. The real “one” will do these things for you.

So I want you to ask yourself something; do you think the person you are interested in right now shows signs of true love and Godly character? Are you prepared for the real answer? Because if you continue reading this article I know you will find it. And it might not be what you wanted to hear.

So before I tell you what real “True love” is I want you to know that there is someone who showed TRUE love to you many years ago. Long before you were born. His name is Jesus. He was crucified, beaten with a metal whip, spat on, cursed at, and suffered so many other unthinkable things. Why?

So that YOU could be with him.

I already have true love. I have Jesus and that is enough! Even when I discover that my crush doesn’t like me back. Even when I feel rejected and alone. I have true love, because I am truly loved! I already have a Prince in Heaven.  

qualities of true love...

1. patience

“Love is patient…”

Okay, things are getting real, guys! Someone who shows you patience, is someone who shows you love. Someone who isn’t willing to wait for you…doesn’t truly love you. If he wants you bad, and wants you now, is that really love? Or could it be selfish lust? Think about it like this. You loooove ice cream. Its 10 a.m. and your favorite ice cream parlor serving your all-time favorite flavor, doesn’t open until noon. You’re craving ice-cream though! You could raid the fridge and eat frozen leftovers. Or, you could go to the grocery store and buy a carton of ice-cream that is just kind of okay. OR you could practice patience, and wait until noon for your all-time favorite flavor in the universe. See what I mean? You waited because you LOVE that ice-cream. Not just some other random carton from the store. Your heart was set on a treasure, and you were willing to wait for the fulfillment of it. 

2. kindness

"Love is kind..."

You might be thinking, “Well, duh! Kindness is a no-brainer!” But I know a lot of girls who would still fall for a guy who isn’t kind. True princely, honorable knight-like kindness means that he will be kind to you even when you are not kind to him, he will never raise a hand to you, pressure you to compromise your values, play games with your mind, or damage you emotionally. Sure, everyone makes mistakes. But a true prince would never do anything intentionally to harm you.

3. forgiveness

"Love keeps no record of wrongs..."

You have hurt people, whether you realize that or not. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, we’ve all caused pain in the hearts of others. What happens when you hurt your dream boy? Does he still treat you with love, respect, kindness, and patience? Does he forgive? When Jesus was hanging on the cross He said, “Father FORGIVE them they no not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34.)
Jesus showed you the ultimate love; a heart of forgiveness on display. Your guy doesn’t have to be perfect (he’s only human!) but if he’s not willing to offer forgiveness and love when you mess things up, something is wrong. 

(On an important side note: Are you showing forgiveness to him, as well as to others who have hurt you? Jesus said that He won’t forgive us unless we forgive the sins of others. It can be easy to have a list of qualities we want in our “dream guy” but we have to remember that unless these character qualities abound in our own lives as well, we won’t be ready for our prince when he does come!)  

These are three qualities that a true prince should be growing and maturing in. (And so should all princess-in-waiting!) Do you see these things bearing fruit in his life?

Jesus had already shown us what the True Love of a True Prince looks like.

He spilled His blood for you on the cross, we were yelling and screaming at Him, beating Him to near death. Then we killed Him. Yet He forgave us. We did all these things to a Man who stopped to heal the blind, heal the sick, and wash our grubby feet. He showed the kindness of His heart! He watched us commit sin every day, and yet waited for us to realize that He is the only thing we need! Wow, what patience! You already have Jesus. So when you are looking for a partner to spend the rest of your life with, why settle for anything less then what you already have?

It may not seem like it, but contrary to popular belief, there are still some good, Godly guys out there! And they’ve been praying for a girl, just like you. You only have to sit still, wait, and be patient. “Love suffers long…” You’re looking for true love, right? Patience, endurance! It’s worth it!

After reading this have you discovered the truth? Is the guy that your heart has been completely wrapped up in, showing qualities of true love?

Please remember that even if this person isn’t “the one” for you, doesn’t mean you are not loved. I love you, even though I don’t know you, so if you ever need someone to talk to, email me here: 
christcenteredteengirls@gmail. com

Or message me on any of my social media outlets:  
Instagram: Christ_Centered_Girls
Twitter: @CenteredGirls
Facebook: ChristCenteredGirls
Pinterest: @CCGgirls

You are not alone in this journey, so connect with other people who can pour into you! Spend time with the Man who really does truly love you, Jesus Christ. And while you’re waiting for the right one to come along, use your time wisely! Fill your days with serving others, as well as getting to know and falling in love with your TRUE Prince, Jesus. Start something new, maybe a club, sport, or hobby. 

You are amazing! So keep on being your beautiful self!
I love you girls!

-Kylie