My love is not perfect. In the past I've let work and other stresses, impatience, laziness, selfishness and even fear get in the way of showing love to family and friends in the way I should (and could) have. I hate to admit that, but it's true and I wish it was different. It's not that I didn't show love to those around me; it's just that I could have done it better and didn't.
But the past is gone, my shortcomings forgiven and the good news is that each new day brings with it a fresh beginning (opportunity) to be more loving to friends and family still here; and to show that love in tangible, meaningful and creative ways (more about that later).
My inspiration for this Week of Love (which I really desire to be the start of a permanent, everyday change) comes from I Corinthians 13--the so called Love Chapter.( Note: this is the King James Version of that chapter, but you can find a link to more information on this chapter and other easier to read versions of it here.)
Why do I include this chapter here? Well since God is the only One with perfect love, I thought it'd be good to see what He says about it as I seek to become more loving. Keep in mind, as you read through this well known chapter on love that the word 'charity' equates to the word "love" (agape--selfless, perfect love)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Blessings, A
Photo: A very modified photo of a heart shaped egg ring. actually the very same ring I used for this morning's breakfast!
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