Mother's Day is this Sunday, and I have been very lucky to have so many special ladies in my life to help me come the person I am today.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
When you see this verse you may think of a wedding. But I have many ladies in my life that showed me this verse outside of the wedding and in life with everyone.
Love is Patient ~ I have seen around me for many years clam ladies. I watch things happened that were not planned and seen them turn to The Lord in Prayer right away. I have learn by watching not to yell at my kids, or ones that I'm working with. But when they are acting in a way that is not okay for what we are doing to keel down to their level and talk to them quietly. And pull out of the Bible as much as I can.
Love is Kind ~ I have seen people come in early, stay late, miss out on things because they maybe working in the kitchen. Hold the door open for someone who hands are full. Take a meal to a working mom and dad just because. And from that we now have love on them days where we just show up at the church with a little goodies for them.
Love does not envy ~ I have learn that it is great to be happy for others. And we are called to do that. But we are called not to want what others have. I'm thankful for the ladies in my life that help me remember not to envy others. When the time comes and is needed to call me out on it, remind me.
Love does not boast ~ I learn that you do not run around doing good things and yelling about it to everyone to get pats on the back. I have a hard time with just saying Thank you when someone does say something to me. I try to brush it off.
Love is not proud ~ I learn to do things not because it make myself look good or feel good. Not to be happy for all the "GOOD" that I do, and how it makes people feel. Or what people will say because of what I have done. I'm not saying that you should not do things, but watch why you are doing them.
Love does not dishonor others ~ I have learn not to gossip about others. It so easy to get talking over coffee, and just like a wildfire so much can be lost.
Love is not self-seeking ~ You do not run away looking to what you will get out of this. You put yourself a side and look at what you can a give, what others can get out of it. How you can glorified The Lord. You come in early and stay late. You stay up all night with a kid who can not sleep. You shovel your neighbor walkway just to make them smile.
Love is not easily angered ~ You do not yell and tell people what you think. I learn and seen people seek wise counsel. That you should turn to God in prayer. And remembering Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Love keeps no record of wrongs ~ I seen forgiven first hand, and what it should look like. I seen second and third changes with no mention of pass wrong doing. Maybe just as big if not bigger if you are the one that's done the wrong, right it and ask for forgiveness.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth ~ I have said many times to my kids, " I will not be mad, as long as you tell me the truth" I praise others for going out of their way for others. And at the same time of rejoices I learn to give thanks to The Lord.
Love always protects ~ I learn that you do this but doing everything else from above. By taking the extra time to make sure the car seat is in right, to stop the gossip. To call and check on a friend after a hard day.
Love always trusts ~ To be able to handout tasks to others and not checkup or go ahead and do it myself. I learn to watch myself and ask myself if it's about losing control. If it's not about that then I have to go back to all of the above.
Love always hopes ~ I seen others want nothing but the best for others. Like a parent, wants nothing but the best. But I'm thankful for all that have help me learn that as much hope as you have you need just as much if not more prayer.
Love always perseveres ~ I learn that you never give up, that you never walk away. You keep going! There are three ways to get out of the trial that you are in. Pray that it goes away, pray that God will take you from it, or pray that God will get you through it.
By all means I do not have it all together, and I'm still learn as I go. This is just a small part of what I have learn from my Mom, Mama Beth, Sharon my step mom, Dixie my mother in love, My sisters, My Grandmas, my Aunts, my friends and many ladies from church. Sometimes a lady from the store. These are lessons that I have learn and hope to pass down to my kids. Behind each lesson are memories, there is laughter, some tears, and more laughter. There are memories that we will pull out when we teach the lesson to someone, or when we need the reminder our self. We will remember they smiles, that saying that they always said. And for that I'm so grateful for. Thank you for all that have left their mark on my life. I look forward to passing on all I have learn.
