Day 174: Stake Conference

Love is indeed the basis for all great stories. The misconception is that only romantic love can be fulfilling and exciting, and, unfortunately, this only happens once. (Unfortunately? See how the lies go?) The truth is that this is only the beginning of the love in your life. Romantic love is the first step. It teaches you so much about trust and forgiveness and acceptance. Then you are free to start applying what you have learned on other people. Your children are a kind of "gimme" -- you don't have to try very hard to love them, but you learn so much from that love, too! Then, the real task of learning to love your neighbors and your strangers around you. The beauty of God's plan is that the love around you can continue to increase until you are surrounded by the joy and the warmth of it all. Romantic love is the first step of what is really an immature heart embarking on a new journey.