The next two posts (WFW and a tribute to Brian) are on "love." As I was sleeping, I was waking up off and on, pondering this...(do you ever do that? think while sleeping then wish you would have written it down before waking up???)
As I was thinking about "love" and our anniversary, especially in terms of the 1Corinthians verse I use below.....
I thought LOVE, true LOVE, is so much more than a FEELING. Hollywood sells us the "feeling" line, and when the FEELING comes and goes, we think there is something wrong and that we have "lost" the LOVE. This is one reason for so many divorces. People don't "feel" the same way and think that their marriage should end. Then, they go out and look for someone else to give them that FEELING.
But, LOVE is an ACTION. LOVE is a verb! Love is CHOOSING to be patient(or the NKJ says, "long-suffering") when we feel like exploding.
Love is CHOOSING to kind, even when the other person doesn't deserve kindness.
Love is CHOOSING to not to be envious, even when you deserved the same thing the other person got!
Love is CHOOSING to be humble, not proud. It is CHOOSING NOT to say, "I told you so."
Love is CHOOSING not to be rude, even when I am tired, or when the check-out girl has made several mistakes, delaying me several minutes...
Love is CHOOSING to look to someone else above and before m own needs.
Love is CHOOSING not to lose my temper, even when I am "right."
Love is CHOOSING does not "keep score." Love does NOT remind someone of past mistakes. Love forgives and forgets, NOT dredging up failures and betrayals from the past.
1Corinthians 13:1 says, "I speak in tongues of men and of angels," (in other words, no matter what I say or how beautiful my speech is, or how correct it is), if I don't speak in love, it sounds like a resounding gong or clanging cymbal." OUCH.
Verse 2 says if I have an AMAZING faith that even moves mountains, I am nothing without love.
Verse 3 says that no matter what m good works are, even "surrendering my body to the flame," if I don't walk in love, it doesn't mean anything!
Lord, may I always WALK out LOVE. With family, with Brian, with friends, sisters in Christ, may I look to LOVE as an ACTION even when I am not FEELING like it.
11 thoughts shared....:
Amen, Tracy! Ever since my daughter was just a toddler, I've always trained her to "choose kindness". And, I've reminded her that it's most important and most pleasing to God when we choose kindness and love amidst unkindness and hate.
I love Jesus' Words in Matthew 5:46-48:
" 'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? ... And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' "
Amen, sister! :-)
That was very well put! Thank you for the reminder.
So needed to hear this post and it's such a powerful reminder of what Love is and isn't.
God bless you dear Sister for sharing this provocative and mindful reminder!!
I love your thoughts on love, and the Scripture that you shared. It's so true that as the years pass, love is more of a verb than a feeling. I mean, I have that feeling for Steve, but it's choosing to feel and do what we are commanded in 1 Cor. Thanks for sharing!
I heard a pastor this weekend at a wedding say that when you read through this passage you should put your name everywhere the word "Love" is....Traci is Kind...Traci is patient.. Takes on a whole new meaning when I do that!! And you are so right it is a Choice!!
Beautiful words! Happy Anniversary Brian & Tracy!
Tracey,
I loved (hehe) both your posts. Your insighe into the verse was refreshing and I just love your photo and how you illustrated it.
Thanks so much for sharing it. It really made me stop and think about my attitude sometimes. Like the girl in the checkout part.
Thanks for stepping on my toes a little bit.
Blessings,
Sherry
P. S. Please stop by my blog for a happy - http://magnoliaheartbeats.blogspot.com/2008/10/awards-day-i-am-recipient-of-2-new.html
POWER UP LOVE!
Amen! Thank you for your thoughts. It is so important that we women learn to be active in our lives, in a truly humble and serving manner. This is an area I was not modeled very well, and I am continually praying for in my life. I know how to do the right things, and show the actions, but my heart is often still stuck in selfishness.
I also feel frustrated when I am pondering something that I want to share, and I can't just stop and type it! I often have great epiphanies while I'm in the middle of doing laundry, dishes or vacuuming! :-). I wish I had a memory card that I could just remove from my brain and plug into my computer...that would be handy! God bless!
Amen and Amen. May we always make the choice to love and let love rule our actions.
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