DAY TWO OF COUNTING THE OMER

GEVURAH OF CHESED

DICIPLINE OF LOVE

All healthy love must be balanced, tempered and directed properly. This would include a constant degree of discipline.

Real love considers a certain amount of distance and respect for the other party. It allows time to enter the relationship. True love allows space. It doesn’t over-spoil or suffocate the object of the love. Discretion is necessary to avoid wasting love on those who do not deserve it.

It is important to ask if love is disciplined enough.

LOVE DOES NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS

Are others using or taking advantage of your giving nature? Being used is not the same as being loved.

REAL LOVE CANNOT BE FORCED

Are you hurting others by forcing your value systems upon them? Forced values will not bring true commitments. We must respect those that we love by giving them the space and time to reach their own conclusions. True love makes up its own mind. It is never forced or coerced.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE DISCIPLINE OF LOVE:

1. Are my reasons for love selfish?

2. Is my love sensitive to the feelings of others?

3. Is my love an extension of myself and my needs? True love is more about the other person than about yourself.

4. Is there as much emphasis on the one I love and their ability to contain my love as there is on me and my giving?

WORD PICTURE

Rain is good; it nourishes and makes things grow. Rain is refreshing. Floods ruin crops and destroy a harvest. Floods are harmful to the growth of a crop.