Tell us, fool,
who knows more of love–
the one who has joys from it or the one who has trials and griefs?
He answered:
There cannot be any knowledge of love without both of them.
(Ramon Lull, The Book of the Lover and the Beloved)*

My teenage son has begun to notice girls. He loves the feeling of being accepted and admired. Tender smiles and casual chats about life in general add a new enjoyment to life. My son now loves to go to church and wants to get there early and so he can hang out more with his friends.
He hasn’t experienced the down side of love. The difficult side that envolves endurance, patience, frustrations and struggles.
*A quote taken from an Elizabeth Elliot on Back to the Bible that needs to be taken to heart: