True Love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not loved, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

On the wall in my entry way

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

-I Corinthians 13

I could read these words day in and day out. There is something about the Word of the Lord that is like honey to the tongue, music to the ears, salve for the soul. This passage of Scripture is like that for me. In my journey as a sinner saved by His undeserved grace, wife to a loving husband, mommy to precious babes, I must have love. Not romance, not a fleeting feeling, not emotionally based. . .but true love. God is love (I John 4:8).



This passage tells of His character, His heart for me and the way I must love others. My bible's study notes say it "describes a love that is based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved." Oh, my! I am not worthy of His love, but yet He loves me. I love Him because He first loved me!! How dare I be picky with my "love" for my family, for others? I must go beyond my "natural feelings" and love when I don't want to, all the while expecting nothing in return. True love.



Dear Lord,

Teach me how to love. Teach me what love is. Help me to mimic You in my display of love to others. In Your Precious Name I pray, Amen.