If you "cheat" and look up the answer in 1 Corinthians, you'll find this answer:
"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. Love never fails."
Paul set the standard for love with these words, one that I may strive for, but almost always, fall short, day in and day out. While love never fails, I do... and quite frequently. But, I am digressing (again).
If I were to put my Bible away and close my eyes, the first words that would come to mind with regard to love would simply be:
"Love is complicated"
Even in the simplest of situations... Should I be "kind" by letting the driver turn into traffic in front of me or by proceeding without such a delay to be "kind" to the driver behind me?
Should I be "patient" with the student in my office at the expense of not having additional time (or patience) to offer to the four waiting outside the door?
And in the more difficult of situations:
When is the right time to take a beloved pet's life? At what point does she have too much pain to bear? When is the pacing, back and forth on the floors at night too frequent? When does the pendulum swing on quality of life?
If I am to keep no record of wrongs, how am I to judge when someone has crossed the line from simply having one too many bad days to being abusive? How can I make the right decision about when to stay and when to walk away?
Where is the line where seeking balance and rest for self is necessary to offering meaningful love to others? Where does too much service offered in too many different directions dilute the impact of the loving heart so much that it becomes almost meaningless?
What is the point of keeping house? Of tending gardens? Of planting trees? Many of these tasks, things to do, keep the rhythm of the heart in the right balance, so love given is more readily received, but when is there too much, too little... or just right?
Is a bubble bath self-seeking? A strong resume boastful? Walking out on a meeting run late dishonorable?
Has love failed in an abusive marriage? Is standing by one while leaving another vulnerable failing to be protective? Is skepticism with all range of business transactions and interactions a withholding of trust? Or is it wise?
Finding the point of balance in a culture enamored with being busy, with having more, with rationalizing all manner of "white" lies, and with doing ever more additional.... turns a desire to love and act on love into a complicated mess. Waking up every day determined to love one another takes ongoing reflection and dozens of daily decisions, big and small. It takes trying to understand where to be patient, how to be kind, when to openly rejoice in the truth and with what words.... and the list goes on. And on.
I think Paul may need to write an entire book to explain the logistics of his beautiful verses about love.
I'll be one of the first to read a copy.
Even in the simplest of situations... Should I be "kind" by letting the driver turn into traffic in front of me or by proceeding without such a delay to be "kind" to the driver behind me?
Should I be "patient" with the student in my office at the expense of not having additional time (or patience) to offer to the four waiting outside the door?
And in the more difficult of situations:
When is the right time to take a beloved pet's life? At what point does she have too much pain to bear? When is the pacing, back and forth on the floors at night too frequent? When does the pendulum swing on quality of life?
If I am to keep no record of wrongs, how am I to judge when someone has crossed the line from simply having one too many bad days to being abusive? How can I make the right decision about when to stay and when to walk away?
Where is the line where seeking balance and rest for self is necessary to offering meaningful love to others? Where does too much service offered in too many different directions dilute the impact of the loving heart so much that it becomes almost meaningless?
What is the point of keeping house? Of tending gardens? Of planting trees? Many of these tasks, things to do, keep the rhythm of the heart in the right balance, so love given is more readily received, but when is there too much, too little... or just right?
Is a bubble bath self-seeking? A strong resume boastful? Walking out on a meeting run late dishonorable?
Has love failed in an abusive marriage? Is standing by one while leaving another vulnerable failing to be protective? Is skepticism with all range of business transactions and interactions a withholding of trust? Or is it wise?
Finding the point of balance in a culture enamored with being busy, with having more, with rationalizing all manner of "white" lies, and with doing ever more additional.... turns a desire to love and act on love into a complicated mess. Waking up every day determined to love one another takes ongoing reflection and dozens of daily decisions, big and small. It takes trying to understand where to be patient, how to be kind, when to openly rejoice in the truth and with what words.... and the list goes on. And on.
I think Paul may need to write an entire book to explain the logistics of his beautiful verses about love.
I'll be one of the first to read a copy.
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