The Love Chapter

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

It's almost Valentine's Day. This year has been a blur. Six weeks gone in an instant. Just like the last 6 years. I have precious little time for a blog. I know that full well! Many other things command my attention - though realistically, if I weren't blogging myself, I'd be reading someone else's blog ~ or surfing the web for some gadget or book to buy. I also know that full well. Who am I kidding - like I'd be spending this time doing dishes, or laundry, helping my husband in his office or (gasp!) reading a book! So I told the Lord just 2 days ago (when I started this whole venture) "oooo, I know! I can use it as a tool to grow deeper in my relationship with You!" Did you hear Him laughing at me?

Tonight I was thinking "Hmmm, it's almost Valentine's Day. I wonder what verse I can look up to put front and center on the ole blog, to wish any visitors a happy hearts day?" A few trotted through my mind. I settled on 1 Corinthians 13. Then He got me. Yep, the ole 2x4, right upside the head. Or a big ole lightning bolt. Whichever analogy you want to use is fine with me.

I'm not patient with my kids when I've told them the same thing for the bazillionth (or even "just" the tenth) time. I'm not always kind when these little blessings get on my very last nerve. I envy other stages in life. I am sometimes easily angered. I often don't persevere and I often fail. Ouch.

But thankfully, I serve a God whose mercies are new every morning. I pray that tomorrow as I wake up, I will be more patient, kind, and all those other good things with my children. Lord, help me to be more mindful of the love You've given and expect me to share with my 2 cherubs as they no doubt will bound into my room at the first glimpse of sunlight, so forgiving of my many past transgressions, hop on my bed and wish me a "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy!" I am honored to be their mom. I truly don't deserve them. But for some reason, He saw fit to bless me with them. To say that I am grateful would be an understatement of biblical proportions.

I just realized that I somehow left my DH out of the equation. All of the above applies to him as well. Even my lack of patience and all those other nasty attributes I outlined. Although he won't be bounding into my room, he'll already be there. But my undeservedness and my gratitude .... that applies tenfold. I think it'll always be a mystery how someone like me ended up with someone like him. He's practically the epitome of 1 Corinthians 13. It's pretty disgusting. Opposites attract. Ya think!?

So that's my story of how a little blog can hopefully help to make me more Christlike! The years are passing so quickly. My kids have all 13 verses of the Love Chapter memorized. I pray that I can conform more to its image.

Today's blog would have been so much easier if I'd have just settled on another verse. Something like "For God so loved the world" sounds safe & easy.

Happy Valentine's Day!