Real Love

Adding insult to injury, Stan and I were both busy and had not seen one another for a few weeks. Mom’s caregiver had a family emergency and I was dealing with stand in caregivers. They were nice and competent but they were new and different. Even my normal support systems were lacking! I was not feeling love nor was I feeling lovely. “A smoldering wick he will not blow out and a broken reed he will not break” flashed across my mind and left peace for a moment.

“LORD, TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY in this situation!” Instantly, I remembered a piece I had written for a couple who were getting married. They didn’t want the traditional readings so I paraphrased the Love chapter: 1 Corinthians 13. I thought back to the reading. Love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit produced in our life as we yield to God. It is God’s will that we love for without love nothing else matters.

Because of love, God expects us to be loyal and to believe in one another, to always expect the best no matter what, and to always stand firm and defend one another. This gives new meaning to the phrase “have got your back, Baby!” Jealously, envy, pride, selfishness and being rude are not a part of God’s design for marriage.

Patience, kindness and love are what God expects us to show to others. He sees our hearts and knows our minds. We must love others first and not wait for others to love us because God’s greatest gift is love.

Okay God, I wrote that and I believe that. Please help me apply your word to my wounded spirit. I continued with the day allowing the words I had written a few weeks ago to seep into my mind with each sting I felt from the continuing hail storm.

Later that evening, after I tucked Mom in for the night and the quiet of the house settled all around me, I began to cry. I slipped to my knees, simply out of submission and humility, because I was truly at the end of my robe and did not have the strength to tie a knot to hold on to. It was in that space of time that God revealed to me that loving unconditionally applied first to all human relationships. Then, if and when we got that right, we could carry that into the marriage relationship. If I could allow the love of Jesus to fill my heart, mind and soul then love would carry me through. When love prevails first and foremost all of Satan’s attempts to destroy us and our relationship with Christ fail! It’s not about me and what I think I need. It’s about my ability to demonstrate Gods’ real love.