Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Our hearts and minds are turning to love. How do you celebrate? Is it a time for just you and your sweetheart? Perhaps you include your children in the holiday and make it truly about love.
In our family it is a day centered around love for everyone. We send cards to family and buy presents for our grandkids besides spending time for ourselves. It is not just a romantic holiday for me and my hubby. Our pets even get a new toy.
When our kiddos were still at home we included them. I remember making a red heart shaped cake or a red velvet cake to have for dessert. They would get cards and a gift or money. Sure the hubby and I carved out time for each other to remember our love, too.
Love should be lived, spoken, and shared everyday. Do you agree? I am talking about true, unblemished love. Everyone flourishes when loved, even plants. Where do we begin to find out just what love is if we want to do this right? The Bible in First Corinthians gives us the best answer.
In I Corinthians 13 we are provided a guideline about love. This scripture explains all about what it is and isn’t. As we read what love is, think about the people you love. Is your love in line with the definition? Are you patient with them and not easily angered?
“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 hopes,
Always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
How did you do on your check list. Me, I could stand some improving. For one thing, patience is something that I am constantly honing. Certainly I have failed in many of the other areas, but after writing this blog it has given me a wake up call. I need to love others better, and I will.
Jesus commands us (not suggests) to love one another as He has loved us in John 13:34. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Wow. That is a high standard. No, let me change it to the highest standard. The gold standard. Even though we are mere humans we can still strive for it.
God has always loved us and always will. He has plans for each one of us and sent Jesus to redeem us. Scripture says He loves with an everlasting love. That is unending, pure, powerful love. That verse is so sweet to my spirit that I drink my coffee out of this cup.
Please join me in pondering this scripture and how we truly love others, even family. As I ask these questions of myself, you could search for your own answers. Am I patient, kind, hopeful, protective, and does my love persevere? I’m not proud, envious, boastful, easily angered, rude or self-seeking, am I? Do I keep track of when people do me wrong? Has my love ever failed someone? How can I improve and love others as Jesus did.
Enjoy this season of love and remember how loved you are.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 