Love, Practically Speaking

And now abideth faith, hope, and
love, these three; but the greatest
of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13

With whatever spiritual maturity I have come to, one thing I have learned is that I Corinthians chapter 13 does not stand alone. In fact, it is nestled between two chapters that teach much about spiritual gifts. This chapter is read at a majority of weddings and there is nothing wrong with that. When viewing it through the prism of the spiritual gifts, this precious chapter can take on a much deeper meaning as we read it. The subject was important enough for the Holy Spirit to address it. In our Scripture it stands alone as a chapter and interestingly, as well as it being I Corinthians 13 in our Bibles, it has also been broken down into 13 verses.

Going through several things in an old box today, I came across a folder of articles I wrote about 35 years ago for a ladies magazine. One particular article was stuck between a couple of other articles and know it wasn't published at the time. Some of it may sound dated, but one day, I sat down, probably some time in 1979, and wrote out I Corinthians13 applying it to my life at the time. Can't help but share it with you. You may get a chuckle every now and then and that's okay or you may find yourself being critical. You might even be able to find yourself in some of the wording. Keep in mind, I had very young children at the time, one of which was still not in school.

I CORINTHIANS 13 (to me)

1. Even though I have a good gift of “gab” or can speak before hundreds of ladies, if I don't do so in love, what I've said will echo no longer than the sound of a spoon landing in the sink or two pot lids being banged together.

2. And even though I have a pretty good amount of common sense and a good head on my shoulders and am a fairly understanding person, and have faith in God's ability to work miracles in my life – without love, I'm a big zero.

3. And if I'm generous and give the last piece of meat from my freezer to a widow lady in my church, and though I'd give my life for what is right – without love, I would be doing it all for show.

4. Love suffers through late-night fevers and chicken pox, but comes through with a smile and sweet spirit; love doesn't care about Mrs. Brown's new house, furniture and wardrobe; love doesn't flaunt one's own possessions or abilities, doesn't over-rate her standing in the human race.

5. Love doesn't act in an inappropriate way for the occasion, doesn't seek to push herself into the presidency of the Women's Missionary Society, is rarely offended, and always thinks the best of everyone, giving all the benefit of the doubt.

6. She doesn't enjoy and “chew” on reports of sin and evil among friends and acquaintances, but is thrilled with reports of good – a soul won, a verse memorized, a friend's spiritual growth.

7. Love can take anything, shoulder all belief and hope, and can endure when a husband misunderstands, child errs, or financial disaster hits. Love can take it all in stride.

8. Love's always unfailingly present. Prophecies, language, knowledge and education are only temporary things; they'll ebb and vanish eventually.

9. We can never know all there is to know anyway.

10. But when Jesus comes, then all our wisdom and “smarts” will seem as nothing, for His knowledge is entire and complete.

11. When I was a little girl, I talked baby talk and understood my friends well, but not big people. I figured things out like a little girl. But when I grew up to be a woman, I put my dolls and story books away. I lost interest in mud pies and dressing up in my mother's sheer curtains and high heels.

12. Someday, all will be made very clear to me through the perfect light of God's love and I'll know as much about me then as He knows about me now.

13. So here you have three of the greatest emotions and gifts ever given to us by God – faith, hope and love – but love tops them all! It's the icing on the cake!!!

Thank You Father for being the love of my life. I know I don't have an ounce of love to give anyone except it come from You through me. Give me more love for others and more love for You as well. Thank You Jesus, for personifying love for us all. In Your precious name...Amen!