Love is....

A little while ago God whispered something to me about love, taking my mind to 1 Corinthians 13. The "Love Chapter". You know, the road map the Bible lays out for us that seems like an unattainable list of to do's in order to really be loving. The Whisper simply asked; Do you love like that?

I consider myself a "loving" person. I'm the sentimental guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve. It's normal for me to end a conversation with a friend saying; "Love ya man." Not it the cheesy beer commercial way, but sincerely, My wife would tel lyou I'm a romantic. And those who know me I think would characterize me as a "loving person".

So what do you meant God....Do I love like that? But I gave the Whisper some thought and reflected on how the Bible describes what it looks like to really love someone. It says love is patient, kind, not jealous.... And that's as far as I got.

Am I patient? How many times do I rush my kids along because I have an agenda....something to accomplish. Am I kind? How often does a careless word I say hurt someone I love? Am I jealous? When someone else is blessed, achieves and accomplishment, or receives an honor I would like, do I celebrate for them or secretly wish it was me?

I know.....that doesn't sound like the picture God paints about love does it?

So I started a list that I try to look at every day. It simply says; Love is....

And then each week I pick a new characteristic and write something like: Love is....

Patient - look for ways each day this week to pause with patienc.

Kind - look for ways each day this week to display "random acts of kindness" to others.

It does not envy - have an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset this week believeing that there are enough good things to go around.

Kim is the only person who knows about my list (well....except for you now). I don't know if my kids, or others around me have noticed a difference yet. But I have. If nothing more, I've noticed myself being more mindful and intentional with how I love others.

As for the rest of the chapter? The stuff the Bibles says about Love being forgiving, not rude or selfish, and so on? I'm getting to those. One week at a time.