Mom Heart Moments #2 - Mom Heart Moments

Love is patient, love is kind . . . does not take into account a wrong suffered.

TIME AND AGE HAVE CONVINCED me of my own propensity to be selfish and immature. Consequently, my gratitude has grown immensely, since I know that I don’t have to perform for the Lord. He is mindful of my imperfections, yet He still calls me His own special child. The number of times He has had to bear with me, love me, and give me grace has made me so much more apt to bear with, love, and forgive my sweet but human children, husband, and friends.

I know they will make mistakes and be selfish and sinful—just like me!—but I also know that I can only please God and have peace in my own heart when I choose to love them back. And in practicing loving them, my own heart swells with more love, good thoughts, and generosity.

This is how it works in my own life. I will have a critical thought toward Clay or the kids or a friend. If I foster that thought, it nurtures self-righteousness, resentment, and anger. When I choose to look at the relationship with eyes of love instead, I can get perspective: this is a person dear to me. They have a personality that comes with many flaws, just as mine does. They do not live to hurt my feelings!

I need to remember that love covers a multitude of sins. I remember how much I need grace in all of my own fragile times. I also remind myself that I will please my precious, patient Lord Jesus if I obediently act in love.

So, I cover the person with grace, say words of patience and kindness, and then I am amazed that my feelings of love follow and the relationship improves, rather than being broken. Good feelings often accompany acts of obedience.

These words in 1 Corinthians describe God, who tells us that He actually is love! Too often, these words do not describe me. Do patience and kindness come easily to you?