Coco Calling No.224 - The Art of Loving and Staying Together

This week, I’m going to say a bit more about ‘love’ because it’s probably the most important thing we will ever hope to experience here on Earth. In human language, the word ‘love’ covers a whole multitude of things, some of which are deep, and some of which are superficial, but I’m thinking about the sort of love that involves the presence of God.

A rather nice thing that many humans and parrots experience, is falling in love with a partner, and then staying with them for the long-term. This type of love isn’t just about gooey feelings, beak tapping and mutual preening, but involves loyalty and commitment. It’s all about helping one another to deal with the ups and downs that Life throws at us. In some cases, the partnership doesn’t work out and the pair end up going their separate ways. But even where couples do stay together, there’ll be some pecks and squawks along the way, and this means that the long-term success of any partnership takes a great deal of effort on both sides. The bottom line is that we’re all imperfect, and so the only way forwards is for us to learn how to love our partners unconditionally, despite their faults and failings. In just the same way as God and Jesus continue to love us when we should really be driving them to the edge of despair! And so for me, that’s why it’s so important for the essence of God and Jesus to be at the centre of any long-term relationship. Because their love provides the glue that keeps the whole thing together. And their blueprint for a successful relationship can be found in the Bible….

1) Be humble, kind and gentle (Colossians 3:12b)

2) Be generous to one another (Acts 20:35b)

3) Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26b)

4) Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18:13)

5) Speak without accusing (James 1:19)

6) Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9)

7) Forgive without incrimination (Colossians 3:13)

8) Enjoy without complaining (Philippians 2:14)

9) Be honourable and faithful always (Hebrews 13:4)

and most important of all…

10) Keep the love of God and Jesus at the heart of all you are and do

(1 Corinthians 16:14)

And if you’re in any doubt about what I’m saying, then go and ask my cousins, the Love Birds!

“God’s love for me is perfect because it’s based on Him, not on me. So even when I failed, He kept loving me.”

(Joyce Meyer: 1943-Present: American evangelist and Christian author).

NOTE: I’m off on a mini migration for a couple of weeks, but will send out my next blog on Wednesday 1st February 2023. Hopefully I’ll have some interesting stories to tell when I return! In the meantime, lots of love and tickles. Coco.