1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

We all know that 1 Corinthians 13 is called "The Love Chapter." When you really study it out, it is quite mind blowing. Patient? Kind? Doesn't envy? Doesn't brag? Doesn't think about itself? Rejoices in truth? Never fails? etc. etc. etc.

THAT'S love? Boy, have I got a lot to learn then!
 
While reading a book today, I came across a humorous, yet rather startling "revamp" of 1 Corinthians 13 and I thought I would share it with you all. It's the "Love Chapter for Moms," I guess you can say. Though it is a bit funny, it reminded me that love - God's kind of love - endures.

I can read bedtimes stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor - but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.

I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voicemail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window. Love is kind to my teenager. It does not envy the neighbor's swimming pool or their brand-new minivan, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.

Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities and rejoices when other families succeed.

It doesn't boast, even when I've multitasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.

Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?" It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her. It is not self-righteous when I remind my 17-year-old that he is going 83 in a 55-mph-zone, rejoices in the truth.

Love trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It perseveres through blue nail polish, messy rooms and sleepovers.

Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labors, they will fade away. But when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will dissappear. (Thank You, God.)

When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we are parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters, and holds us when we need to cry.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.