Americans spend quite a bit of money
on Valentine’s Day to show love. According to CNN, “Valentine’s Day love” amounted
to nearly $2 billion on flowers, and $2 billion on candy!
Yet, when the candy’s gone and flowers fade, the
very best way to love remains. God’s love, described in 1 Corinthians 13, never
fails and it exceeds a price tag.
Feel the warmth of His love:
“Love is patient”
“Love is kind”
“Love does not envy”
“Love does not boast”
“Love is not proud”
“Love is not rude”
“Love is not self-seeking”
“Love is not easily angered”
“Love keeps no records of wrongs”
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with
the truth”
“Love bears all things”
“Love believes all things”
“Love hopes all things and endures all things”
God is
the essence of love. Experiencing His love, first, is the key to loving like He
does. “Whoever
does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8 Good News
Translation)
“Patient” is listed as the first attribute of God’s love for you and for me. Perhaps it’s because we require so much of God’s patience? Maybe because it’s the most difficult yet necessary aspect of love to express?
“Patient”…Webster’s definition: able to remain
calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with
problems or difficult people.
When I lack patience with my children, my husband, and my friends,
walls erect because I've become petty and prickly. I wonder, how many misunderstandings would vanish if patience
was practiced.
When we’re patient, we control ourself when
provoked. We endure; we’re in for the long haul; we don’t give up. Have you
noticed how a lack of patience in our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods
and everyday circumstances cause us to magnify offenses? As Charles Spurgeon
put it, “A fly’s egg becomes as huge as if it were laid by an ostrich.” A
deficiency in patience amplifies tension and conflict.
My friend
offered advice. Practice the “60-second rule.” It jump starts the grace of patience and could
put an end to conflict. “Don’t allow any negative, critical thought to occupy
your mind for longer than 60 seconds. If it does it will gain power and lead
you down a trail of negative thinking. What you think determines how
you act.”
I
discovered 60-seconds is too long. Make it 5-seconds!
I’m not suggesting we overlook all offenses.
I’m thinking there are more that need to be let go of and less to
be confronted. Perhaps letting go instead of slow baking offenses, entertaining
that inward dialog that severs relationships, is the priceless love we all need
to spend more on each other.
That way of love, the very best,
never fails.
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