The real meaning of love

I walked into my apartment and sank into my sofa. My workbox dropped from my hands immediately my body touched the soft, leather chair. Though the air around me was cold due to the air-conditioner, I could feel the heat inside me and the sweat dripping from my brow. “How can it be?” I asked myself. If this condition required money, I had enough to give Uchenna, my friend. We were very close from childhood. He was like the brother I never had. We loved and cherished each other. We shared our good and bad times together. We were both successful in our various fields. I wish I had more time to prepare for this, but it came so suddenly. I wondered how I would be able to donate one of my kidneys for him.

There was pressure from every angle. My widowed mother reminded me that I was the only child and that Uchenna had six siblings. My lawyer made me realize that I was not yet married and if I died, my wealth would be scattered for any vulture to come and take his pound of flesh from. My fiancé wailed that she would kill herself if I died in the process. These added to my confusion. Suddenly, my thoughts drifted; I thought about myself and how I would feel if my friend died when I could have helped him stay alive. I thought about what God would want me to do in this kind of situation. I remembered the good times we both had together. I knew I could not afford to lose him. I decided to do what I thought was right in God’s sight for my friend. I shoved off my fears and went to the theatre three days later.

The operation was successful. I am now married with kids and so is Uchenna. We are still the best of friends. I still try to think about what would have happened if I had not helped him. From that experience, I realized that only perfect love could have made me make such a sacrifice for him. 1st John 4:18 remains my watchword until today; “Real love drives away all fears”