You may be asking why I seem stuck on the topic of Love. There are four reasons. (1) Love seems extremely important to God. In Jesus’ own words, it is the focus of the first and second commandments. (2) God used it to turn my life around. (3) It’s Valentine’s so I thought I might get away with it. And (4) Love never fails.

During a period of great conflict between Robert and me, I didn’t feel very loved, so I went to the Bible to confirm that God cared. Frankly, I couldn’t find confirmation. I saw that He loves the world, but not that He loves me. I finally decided to believe it anyway. That was a turning point toward new life.

As I studied, I realized that we didn’t know how to love. We didn’t live it and show it the way God does.

My understanding was a bit warped by deep depression. However, there was also some truth in my perception. I saw that much of our love was self-serving, rather than the self-sacrificing love we see in Jesus. I also realized that the problem wasn’t wasn’t just ours. It was a common malady of mankind and of the church.

During that time, I cross-stitched and framed the words, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” and I hung it on the wall. It became a standard as a representative and reminder of 1 Corinthians 13.

After that, when I had conflict with my husband, God’s spotlight would shine on those words and I would see that I had not loved my husband during the interchange. Time after time, I was confronted with my sin. Time after time, I was called to repent and confess—to Robert as well as to God.

True love is sacrificial, it’s taking up our cross to follow Christ. I’m still self-centered and slow to sacrifice myself for others, but I’m not where I was. The Lord loved me enough to discipline me in order to form me into His image. The more I grow, the more I experience His love, and the more I want others to.

I want to know what it’s like to really abide in Him—always—and to experience His love and be filled with His joy—even in the midst of suffering and strife. Furthermore, I know the Lord wants that too—for me and for you.

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet. 4:8

I’d like to share the familiar passage He’s used in my life. It’s appropriate for Valentine’s. After this, I promise I’ll change the subject. This defines how to love.

   ^“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous;                     Love does not brag and is not arrogant,                Does not act unbecomingly;  

             It does not seek its own, is not provoked,                        Does not take into account a wrong suffered,                         Does not rejoice in unrighteousness,                       but rejoices with the truth;

               Bears all things, believes all things,                                     Hopes all things, endures all things.                                                  Love never fails”                                                                                            (1 Cor. 13:4-8)