Love and Adoration

The phrases “how I love him” and “how I adore him” caught my attention as I listened to a song a few days ago. I found myself thinking about the words “love” and “adore” and wondered why both were used to reflect a similar emotion. As always, I turned to my dictionary for a little research.

I use the word “love” all the time. I love my friends, my family, cookies, a good steak, a favorite place, and lots of other things. It seems easy to define: a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection. Those warm, fuzzy feelings come pretty easily.

My mom’s birthday was yesterday. She passed away many years ago and always said she wanted to live until she was 99. Well, yesterday would have been her 98th birthday. As you can imagine, thoughts of her filled much of my day. In my mind, I hear her infectious laugh and see her warm smile. I recall her dedication and persistence in working full-time while caring for her home, husband, and kids. The word “love” just doesn’t seem enough. I adored her. According to my research, “adore” can mean fervent and devoted love. That certainly describes my love for my mom. Adore is the word I use when love is not enough.

Mom lives in heaven now with Jesus, the One I love and adore even more than mom or anyone else. Loving Jesus is more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. His name alone causes me to fall on my knees before Him in worship and honor Him with true adoration.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

1 Chronicles 29:11