Love

I know this is a very wide subject, but right now it's so much on my heart and mind. That's probably because of Valentine's Day -- we were bombarded with hearts and flowers. I read in the Mountain Press and Knoxville Sentinel articles written for men on what to do and even what to say to be romantic. Advertisements displayed everything you could possibly buy for whomever your valentine is. This is the biggest day of the year for florists, and card companies follow closely. I just wonder how much is spent on flowers that wilt, candy (well, you know what that does), and cards that are eventually thrown away. (I'm not only getting older but wiser.) I like all that stuff, too, but why all at once, one day, and because "they" say to. I also saw much more pressure put on men to buy for their sweethearts than females for theirs. And I wondered why the pressure is on the guys and not on the girls. Shouldn't we women also show our sweethearts love and appreciation? It does seem out of balance. However, I don't want to camp here or on Valentine's Day at all except that it made me think about love.




The first time I heard a sermon on the Love Chapter, I Corinthians 13, and then read it for myself (many years ago), it actually shook me up. I typed it up and taped it in my desk drawer at work so I would see it every day and begin to insert it into my life. I'm still working on it. Seems like I get something right and then fail on the next -- it goes back and forth. Some commands just seem impossible. Have you read it lately? Some reminders: If I don't have love, nothing else counts; Love is patient and kind; love is not envious or jealous; it is not prideful, boastful, or conceited; it is not rude or discourteous; Love does not insist on its own way or rights; it is not touchy or fretful; does not keep track of wrongs done to oneself; it does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices when truth prevails; it believes the best of everyone; Love endures everything with joy; it never fails or becomes obsolete. Did I say if I don't have love, I have nothing?


Does this only refer to our own families? How about others in church, work, the grocery store, etc. etc.
I want to underscore what Kaye said in church Sunday. After our families, others in church should come second. I heard a pastor the other day say that no one in your church should be in need. It is important for each of us to be interested enough in each other to know when one is in need. You don't ever have to take care of a need you find all by yourself unless you are able and want to. Tell some others about it and plan together how to help. It may be something that's not possible to fully complete, but at least that person/s will know that others care. Praying for them is the basic and first thing to do -- praying for them in person. Not just saying you'll pray for them during the week. (I'm SO guilty of that!) PLEASE let someone know when you have a need or problem. We can't help unless you let us know!! There is no problem too small or too big that something can't be done. In this way we won't need to have organization to help each other, and that is the way it should be.


Back to I Cor.13 - read it again and let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us love as God wants us to. I don't know what you think, but I think some of these are going to need a lot of practice. Well, we can practice on
each other. I love the women at Foothills and I hope you all know it.


Terry