Day 1: Love is 'Patient'

'Patient?'..... Shoot.....Who isn't?

As I began to prepare dinner all I wanted was them (my kids) to stop being so loud. I wanted to hear myself think! I felt the blood rushing to my head as I yelled, "Go outside!!!!!!" The room volume didn't change. I was about to blow my top. Instead of getting quieter my daughter runs over hollering "mom, mom... can I??" "No!!! No you can't" as I slammed my hand on the counter. I was successful, the room was silent.

In my need for silence I lost my cool. I failed to communicate appropriately and instead did the opposite of be 'patient.'
     
                        1 Corinthians 13:4 begins our two week look at loving intentionally.

"Love is... Patient"

I would love to sit here and say that I am a patient lover, but I am not. When things aren't going just the way I want them to, I react. Usually that reaction is very reflective of my heart. I need to be intentional in the way I approach love and it starts with patience.

Funny how Paul describes actions void of love as 'a resounding gong and a clanging symbol!'

I bet my kids would have preferred the symbol over the noise that I yelled at them.

Are you patient in your love?

              Do your kids often see you lose your cool?
 
                       Is your spouse the recipient of "Never mind...I'll do it!"

Are you quick to react and slow to use the first characteristic of Godly love?

Good... Me too!! There is hope for you and for me. Why? Because 1 Cor. 13:2b says, if I don't "have love, I am nothing."

and I know that God wants us to learn to be good lovers.....

I have heard many say, "don't ask God to help you be patient, because he will give you the opportunity to be."

I say let's face it head on and ask for help in an area where a lot of us could stand to grow.

Will you begin this 14 day journey of learning to intentionally love? Perhaps you know someone that struggles with love (all of us). Invite them to join in as we explore ways that we can intentionally love others.

Love is... PATIENT!

Lord, today I failed to show my family love. I failed to show them the greatest gift you have for us and instead became a resounding gong. Lord, I ask that you begin the process of transforming my heart and give me the courage to love intentionally. I commit to learning to be a better lover to everyone I  encounter.

I encourage you to listen to this song each day of the 14 days of 'loving intentionally.'

http://youtu.be/StTzrXMVzmE