Welcome my friend, we are going to be reflecting upon love with a twist today…Let’s grab our cuppa’s first & get comfy, we have a Russian Caravan tea blend, I really enjoy its fresh ricey flavor & a gf double choc brownie with a dollop of fresh cream & strawberries.
Do you ever find yourself out step?
Yesterday, as hubby & I were walking along the waterfront, hand in hand as we like to do, we found ourselves out of step with each other.
Hubby’s stride is far longer & faster paced then mine (as he’s a tall 6′ to my tiny 5’1) making our walk together somewhat awkward & uncomfortable. Unless…
We both consciously make the decision to fall into step with each other. He slows his pace then I matched my stride with his, giving us a much smoother & far more comfortable rhythm to our walk together. This is consideration in Love…
What is love?
A dear friend asked me, many years ago, the following question after we had both been through very difficult relationships.
“Jen, what do you think love is?”
Let’s take a look at the definition of Love that we were given two thousand years ago which is still relevant today, often read at weddings…
“Love is patient, love is kind, isn’t jealous, love doesn’t brag, isn’t arrogant, does not act unbecoming; it doesn’t seek its own, isn’t provoked, doesn’t take into account a wrong suffered, doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 8
Love never fails?
When we read the above it seems an impossible task! And it is! The end bit there, that love never fails, really gets to you when love has definitely failed!
However, there’s a missing ingredient in this mix that is often left out, especially when it’s read at weddings. This definition isn’t of human love but of God’s love emanating through us!
For He is the main ingredient in this formula! Humans simply can’t love like this, before you object let me ask you the following;
Is your love always patient & kind to your partner, family or friends? Have you ever been envious or jealous?
Have you ever lamented over how much you did for a person only for them to turn around & reject your love? But we don’t see this as bragging…do we! We see this as a hurt & rejection!
Have you ever acted unbecoming in a relationship? Have you ever argued because you saw that your opinion was right & they were definitely wrong?
Does that old wrong suffered bubble to the surface when a new wrong happens? Do we grin & bear those really annoying habits of our loved ones, that really get under our skin, without commenting or complaining? Hmmm…
Human love is flawed!
You see we as humans do get impatient, we can be unkind, we get envious & jealous, we brag, we can be arrogant & we can act very unbecoming!
We seek what’s comfortable for us, we can have a long memory of a wrong suffered, at times we can rejoice in unrighteousness if we secretly see it as someone who deeply hurt us getting their just deserves!
We don’t always like to hear the truth especially about ourselves, we don’t like having to put up with annoyances & our love often fails!
However when the main ingredient, God’s love, is placed in the mix it flavors & permeates all these areas with His love & grace!
So let us consciously fall into step with Him, hand in hand with the Spirit of God on a daily basis because His love always has a beautiful rhythm & comfort that never fails!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjenifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photos on Pexels.com
Jennifer, this is the perfect post for Valentine’s Day. Our human love will always be flawed, but God’s love is perfect. Thank you for your ministry, May God be glorified♥️
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Thank you Pam! Yes, we need to allow His Spirit to live through us… For His love is more then we could ever imagine ♥
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I think I have mentioned before that when we were married the minister stressed that God was the third member of our marriage. Through 32 years we have found that to be completely true and He has carried us when neither of the two humans was doing a very good job of it.
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Yes, when we allow God to be the third stand in the three stranded cord of marriage, His love definitely is the sustaining force…what a blessing that is Elizabeth!
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Thankful for God’s perfect and unfailing love! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. : )
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You’re welcome Cathy, lovely having you join me in a cuppa! 😀
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Yes, I have seen my own love fail so often, but God’s love keeps pouring out, never-ending! Thank you for this precious reminder to match pace with the Father. His is always best! Blessings to you Dear Jennifer.
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I agree Bettie, His pace has so much peace & serenity which is just a delight! Blessings to you sweet friend 😀
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Jennifer, I loved this post! The illustration of you and your husband falling into step with each other is such a perfect way to view loving. And you’re so right, we can only love this way (1 Cor 13:4-8) when God is helping us and He’s at the center of our lives. As you listed off ways human love is flawed, I was thinking back over this week and times when my love fell into some of your descriptions. I’m thankful God enables us to love like He does when we ask. 🙂 Have a good weekend!
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Lovely having you drop by Jeanne & I’m delighted you enjoyed your time here! 😀
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So true, Jennifer. Human love is flawed. My hubby Bill and I had to work hard to get to the point where we are now. We have certainly had our ups and downs. Only God’s love is perfect. His love is the model for ours.
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Marriage is definitely an ongoing opportunity Laurie to choose to love with God’s love for the other.
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That is excellent insight, Jennifer! I think needing to adjust our steps/stride happens even more as we age or deal with health issues. I am 5’2″ now after age has reduced me by 2 inches and my sweet husband was once 6′ and now is 5’81/2″ with age and all his back issues. I can and do walk faster despite a shorter stride, but his steps (now with 2 lumbar compression fractures in recent months) are slower and our walks are shorter, but I would never want to miss the joy of holding hands for a walk for the sake of distance or speed. One day one of us will not be here and I cherish each walk together. (I also choose to walk at other times with a friend or alone to get the cardio that I want as well.)
Have a beautiful day!
Pam
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Yes, age has a habit of reducing our height I was 5’2. I love the way you have both adapted & adjusted over the years to still walk hand in hand with each other Pam! That’s very precious 😀
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I’m so very thankful for God’s perfect love to rest in and for His enabling power to love others well!!
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So glad you were able to drop by today Amy, its lovely to have you here. I agree, I too am very grateful for His love. 😀
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Chai, please.
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It’s ready! 😀
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What a great post Jennifer. I love that God loves us so perfectly. Thanks for linking up with us at A GATHERING OF FRIENDS LINK PARTY 12
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Amen!
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Amen Jennifer. Thank you for such a lovely post. I love your insights. Lady Grey please. Blessings.
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Thank you Paula! Oh, I love Lady Grey too! 😀
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Thank you for sharing. 1 Corinthians 13 verses are one of many of my favorites. Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos blog party.
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It really does give us an example of God’s love & in the way we are to Iove His love! 😀
A pleasure!
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