Love is …

The most recognized verse selection about love in the Bible is I Corinthians 13:4-8.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. “

What does love look like in marriage? In parenting? In our relationships? I was reflecting on this today.

Love is …

… holding your wife’s hair back while she is puking her guts out, cleaning up after it didn’t make it in the toilet, and letting your wife get a shower

… getting up in the middle of the night to rock a crying child so your spouse can sleep

… looking up things on youtube and fixing things, since you don’t have the extra money to pay someone to do it

… stopping what you are doing to help take care of a poop explosion from a baby

… not complaining, just listening, being there, and caring

… not bringing up the past, or holding it against each other

… showing patience when your child is telling you a story for the millionth time or going on and on about something

… punishing a child for wrongdoing, correcting the behavior in a kind and graceful way, demonstrating God’s love and forgiveness for us

… doing the dishes, taking out the trash, making a meal

… giving of yourself and your time

… doesn’t let petty things get in the way.

Love hopes and endures … it never fails.

And the true example we have of this is God’s love for us. That He would sacrifice His Son. That Jesus would be ridiculed, mocked, tortured, and embarrassed … ultimately giving up His life for our lives… and conquering death, so that we may be rescued. He went through it all. He is the only one who can truly understand! This is the greatest example of love.

So as you reflect today and this week around a holiday based on love. Let us remember to love one another, lift each other up, encourage one another, and praise God for the ultimate love He gave us.