1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous nor envious, boastful or proud, haughty, selfish or rude. It does not demand its own way and hardly even notices when others do it wrong. If you love someone, you will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and will always stand your ground in defending them. Love never fails.
Our kids teach us so much. My daughter graduates this year from college. As I was reflecting on how quickly time flies and some of our memories together, there was one situation that happened between her and I when she was still a toddler that was a lesson on the meaning of love that I will never forget.
When she was about 3 I remember one particular day playing some kind of game with her when I did something that made her mad. She was angry. I jokingly asked “Do you love me?” at which she replied, “Daddy, I love you but I just don’t like you right now!”
Wow, out of the mouths of babes. I was both touched and impressed that at such a young age a 3 year old little girl knew more about loving and the true meaning of love than most adults do. Why is it that as adults we find it hard to understand this fact about love sometimes?
Liking and Loving. Too very distinct yet similar things. Understanding this though is a pretty solid stone in the overall foundation of loving someone. Often times as adults we forget this and think that liking and loving are the same thing. We can continue to buy into that frame of thought and eventually talk ourselves out of the true love we actually have for others. I’ve been a victim of this like we all have at several points in my life both on the giving end and receiving end. It is not a fun situation to have to face.
We all do things that frustrate others that we love. If we truly understand love in its purest form we can love someone but not like who they are at a particular point in time, not like what they do, or even the choices they make. But we still love. Always believing, always expecting the best, always hoping. Love never fails.
I’m learning in my life that unconditional love is not a noun but more of a verb, something that involves action. It is a choice. Something that you choose, even at times when you don’t even feel like it.
When you are truly loved, there is no fear, but instead hope and faith. True Love never fails.