Love is

1 Cor 13:4 “Love is patient and kind.” at Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Whether you regularly read a bible or not, you’ve probably heard the following scripture said at weddings:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV

My girlfriend Brenna once told me she heard a sermon that suggested substituting the person you’re dating with the word “love” in that passage.  Had I heard that years earlier, I think that would have definitely told me that what I thought was love, truly wasn’t what I was receiving.  This was such a great suggestion that I wanted to share it with you.  Of course this is great for you to reflect upon yourself too, to see if you are truly showing love to your spouse.  If you are just dating, be honest to yourself because if you start disregarding the red flags that is a dangerous place and you might not be able to clearly focus on what’s is truly in front of you, which isn’t worth pursuing in the long run.

Let’s try this exercise with an open mind and heart.

______  is patient and kind; ______  does not envy or boast;
______  is not arrogant or rude. ______  does not insist on its own way;
______  is not irritable or resentful;
______  does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
______  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV

When I travel, I wear this ring Mr. Wonderful insisted on buying me – it was the only size 4 ring that fit my ring finger.  I didn’t want to spend the $50 on a sterling silver ring and came home empty handed, but after the Mr. heard it had scripture on it, he went back to the store I mentioned and bought it for me.  When I look at it while wearing it I’m reminded that I married a man who truly does love me, in a true biblical way, which is the best way possible and I am so grateful.

Equipment used: Sony NEX-5R (c/o), 50mm f1/.8.

Diana Elizabeth says knowing who you choose to marry is so important and dictates the quality of the rest of your life.  Know you are a child of God who deserves someone who can love you unconditionally just as you are – you are special!