Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. —1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV I’m so very glad this particular verse is included in the “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13). Love does not “put up” with everything, you see. No matter how dearly we might love another person, we are never to call that which is evil “good” for any reason. Isaiah says it this way, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20 NIV). This can be tempting, right? It can be very hard to go against a loved one when they are embracing what we know is wrong. But here’s […] Read more »

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. —1 Corinthians 13:4b-5a (NLT) We start demanding our own way quite early in life. As infants, when our tummies are hungry, we bellow until we’re fed. We cry if we’re uncomfortable in any way and want to be soothed. As toddlers, we melt down when we’re handed the red cup when, of course, we wanted the blue one. We grab toys out of others’ hands and stuff that extra cookie in our mouths before anyone can stop us. Yes, we’re a sad and selfish lot from the very beginning, aren’t we? Now, granted, infants really don’t have any other viable way to express themselves when something is wrong, […] Read more »

Love is patient, love is kind. —1 Corinthians 13:4a NIV They had one child. She was born with cerebral palsy. She needed the kind of care that made them realize she should probably be their only one. They invested their lives in blessing her with love and kindness and abundant patience. They tried everything to help her walk and talk and learn. There were setbacks. There were vacations they never took and dreams never fulfilled. Yet, the three of them were incredibly happy as they loved and cared for one another—and their daughter gave back with joy radiating from her. There was no spotlight on them. They lived out their quiet lives in England, neighbors to my grandmother, loving their precious daughter. Love is patient, […] Read more »

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. —1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT I was angry with my daughter about something. I don’t remember the something. I do remember berating her for her crimes and ending with “I am so disappointed in you.” She was silent, arms folded tightly against her chest. Tears formed in her eyes, but her own anger kept them from falling. She would not fall apart in front of the mother who was hurting her so badly. Have you ever wished with all your heart you could take back your words? If I could, that would be a time I’d want a do-over. Later, […] Read more »