God’s Love is Patient and Kind
Sue’s Note: Happy Valentine's Day, friends. Today’s post is a reprint from 2020. My grandson is now 6-years-old and learning to read. He has pretty much mastered “learning about shapes,” but there’s not a doubt in his grandma’s mind that it will be a lot of years before he has figured out all there is to know about Valentine’s Day love, which indeed is a lifelong journey!
I asked my 4-year-old grandson what he was learning in Miss Jean’s preschool. “We’re learning about shapes, numbers and Valentine’s Day,” Reeve reported matter of factly.
I’ve always liked Valentine’s Day. The thought of focusing on love in mid-winter makes my heart smile.
A variety of stories, myths and traditions surround the holiday, which my grandson will probably not be learning in preschool. Some are interesting, others rather bizarre. Many focus on a 3rd Century Bishop named Valentine who was martyred because he performed secret marriage ceremonies for young lovers in defiance of the decree of Claudius II, which forbade soldiers to marry.
During the month of February—leading up to the beginning of the season of Lent—I’d like to focus attention on the most profound love—God’s love—as portrayed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
The Apostle John declares …God is love. (1 John 4:8). If that is true, which I believe at the core of my being it is, then today’s segment of this scripture could be paraphrased to read:
God is patient. God is kind.
Prayer:
God of Love,
Write the words of your love deeply within my soul.
Illuminate the dark days of mid-winter with the light of your love.
Help me hear the whisper of your Spirit telling me how to love in a way that reflects your love.
Thank you so much, God, for your patience and kindness in this process of learning to love you, others, and myself well!
~Amen
Blessings on your journey,
