Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
I’ve experienced a lot of love in my life.
I remember as a little girl cuddling up with my dad and a good bedtime story, topping the special feeling off with the endless list of bed-time prayers (God bless mommy, and daddy, and grandma and grandpa….)
Then there was pre-teen puppy love, how I “accidentally” rode my bike past the high school tennis courts every night right when they were holding practice, just hoping to catch a glimpse of the sophomore star I found so irresistible.
I remember my high school sweetheart and our romantic senior prom: me in big ‘80s hair and my first (and last, come to think of it) strapless dress, he in his Miami Vice tuxedo.
I remember my wedding day four years later to that same high school sweetheart: me marching down the aisle, a little nervous and confused because someone had forgotten to give him the cue to enter. I remember the relief and the love that overflowed when he practically tripped his way in, and the smile he gave me reminding me that there was nothing to fear - this was what was meant to be.
I remember the first moment I held my babies – my son with a little fear and concern – my daughter with more confidence – but both with a wonder and awe that God had given me these precious gifts to take care of - as well as the fierce love I would need to do the job right.
Ah yes, I am blessed to say that I’ve given and received a lot of love in my life.
And so, it was with a lot of embarrassment and ego bruising that I recently discovered how often and how hard I fail the “Love Test” every day of my life!
It all began when I read a suggestion in a devotional to read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 and replace my name every time I saw a reference to Love.
I couldn’t get past the first line. In fact, by the time I got through, I had to admit that I failed nearly every example that morning alone.
In my defense, it was an extremely trying morning…
It was a Saturday. We’d had an extra long week – Both my husband and I had been busy at work and the kids had been sick with colds and grumpy all week. They don’t know how to sleep in on Saturday, so I’d been on the go since 6:00 am, chasing my 17 month old and distracting her from all of the wonderful, dangerous diversions our house has to offer, and all while trying to get the laundry done, breakfast made, dishes washed, floors cleaned…well you get the picture…a typical Saturday!
During all this, my seven year old son had been playing an entire football game in our family room, and then a basketball game in our hall: running, jumping, leaping and stomping the whole time! He was feeling better, but we still wouldn’t let him outside in the cold air. So, like a typical boy, rather than take it easy for the morning, he simply pulled out the nerf balls and played his games in the house.
I felt like all three rings of the circus combined, right after the grand animal parade!
Believe me, I was NOT feeling either patient or kind at that moment in time. In fact, I was feeling pretty jealous of all those people I knew were sleeping in or lounging through their Saturday reading the paper with their third cup of coffee at their side, and if I’d encountered one right then, I can guaranty I would have been rude.
Indeed, I was downright irritable.
Luckily, Jessica finally laid down for her nap, Douglas settled into his room for a video game, and I sat down at my desk to jot down a few ideas I’ve had for the past couple of days.
And my husband, Marty, walked by and said “now might be a good time to take a shower if you need one today…”
Well, it doesn’t matter whether he was right or not, you can be sure, I marked that one down in my record of wrongs!
In short, I failed the love test…and continue to fail day after day after day.
But instead of being discouraged, I find courage in this newfound knowledge.
Love is more than the innocent crush of a girl or the romantic love of a teenager.
Love is a commitment – a pledge to stick with it, through the good times and the bad times.
Love is being there when it’s fun…and being there when you’d rather be at the dentist having a root canal.
Love is getting it right…and even failing to get it right.
Love is a promise that you’ll keep trying – even when you aren’t perfect.
We have the ultimate example of love in a Savior who loves so much, he gave his life for a bunch of failures like us so that we can have a fresh start every day in him.
God never gives up (on us) never loses faith (in us) is always hopeful (for us) and endures (with us) through every circumstance.
Love may seem like puppy love, hearts and flowers, but oh it is so much more! The kind of amazing commitment and steadfast example that God shows encourages me to start new every day and share the love I’m so freely given with everyone I can find. Yes, I may fail the Love test more than I’d like, but better to make the commitment and fail than to never share the incredible love that I’ve been given. This month, why not take the Love Test yourself? Even when you fail, you win more than you’d ever believe!
Sue Dickinson is a mom, a business woman, and the founder of www.Unlimited Mom.com, a web site and e-newsletter designed to celebrate the many facets of Mom - her family, her work, and her personal development. Sue is also the author of the book: "What's a Mom to Do? Overcoming the Urge to Put Your Life on Hold", which can be purchased at unlimitedmom.com.
