While I was in Venezuela several months ago, I had a surprise opportunity to address Hugo Chavez. The first thing I told him was that there were people in our country who have love for him and for the people of Venezuela. My statements were recently ridiculed by a person whose faith I admire. The gist of his criticism regarded how I could have love for such a crazy man who was doing harm in our world. I will confess that Chavez is a controversial figure who has made even more negative waves since my visit to Venezuela. But I am not so sure that is the point.

Chavez may be a terrible man, as many others in our world may be; however, we are taught by the leaders of many faiths that we are to love everyone without condition. Love can be a complex undertaking on its own. Being called to love unconditionally adds even more to the mix.

I told my critic that I try to love everyone no matter their political stance, moral positions, or religious practice. I further said that if I was not able to say that I have love for Hugo Chavez (or anyone else) then I should not be going to church on Sunday. What good is it to surround myself with the words of love for an hour on Sunday if I was not going to live what I was being taught?

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let’s examine what love is and how we realize it. It heeds us to look at the grand expanse of love—from the fun love that can be purchased in a card or jewelry store to the deeper love of agape.

The puppy love we see among teenagers should not be discounted. This type of love gives Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers something to sing about, but, more importantly, if expressed in a healthy manner, this young love gives children a glimpse at the wonders of thinking beyond themselves and looking out for others. While there will be countless boyfriends, girlfriends, and tears, a basis is being formed for them to experience something deeper.

Deeper love requires much more than passing notes in the hallway and calling your crush on the phone. It involves the deeper stuff of life that, if taken seriously, will reap much fruit. We find that love at its core, while always beautiful, is not always pretty.

Sincere love requires the acceptance of the brokenness of others—knowing someone is not perfect and loving them anyway. Sincere love requires forgiveness when that brokenness rears its ugly head. Ultimately, as we are reminded in the Bible, pure love requires laying down your life for others. This is difficult but necessary if our human race is going to carry on with justice. The Valentine’s cards and flowers are nice on Valentine’s Day, but they are only a symbol of the things that we should be living.

I would like to indulge myself by listing a few places I find love steeped in the simplicity of life. Whenever I see an elderly couple holding hands, I see love. Their interlocked hands remind them, and show an example to all, that they have gone the distance; not an easy task in our world of relationships. When I see my school’s cafeteria staff smiling in the morning as they prepare food for the students, I see love. They are a staff of fewer than 10 feeding 600 students. If that is not living the biblical story about multiplying loaves and fishes, I am not sure what is.

When I see anyone reaching out to help another person, I see love. As storyteller Kevin Kling reminds us, “A person looks their best when they are helping someone.” When I see authentic faith being lived out, I see love.

Sister Helen Prejean once wrote, “I watch what I do to see what I really believe.” Her faith gives her the courage to love even the most vile of criminals. Finally, when I see my fiancée caring for her two daughters, I see love. It is a love I get to share in. It is my hope that we all find an avenue to give and receive love as we reflect upon how we want to leave our mark in the world.

Rick Robers is a middle school teacher in the New River Valley who recently was engaged to be married, so love has obviously been on his mind. Congrats, Rick!