Love, Love, Love

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

So, starting with devo's this morning we were told to take long term goals and pretty much put them aside for the moment and make a goal for today. Mine, "To look for God in each of the children I would see today." I thought that my goal would only revolve around my day from 9-3:30... but God, once again gave me a surprise.

Tonight we had had dinner served to us by a couple from Trinity. We were told that this one of the most popular dinners we would have all summer and the family was filled with quite the characters. Courtney (house pastor) and Erin (site coordinator) told us we'd eat dinner and then the husband would tell us his entire life story (which I was realllly looking forward to.) This was not far from the truth. When dinner was half way over, he asked us to "play a game"... the game consisted of a single question: If you could change anything in your past, what would it be? So we all went around the table and answered the question. That question really has nothing to do with the blog. But, after we got to answer that question the couple started sharing their love story with us. We left, but I could've stayed a few more hours.

On the way home, the other three girls and I just talked about relationships and what we wanted and expected in loving relationships in the future. It was so good to hear others opinions, some of the opinions even matched what I thought, which was also comforting. But, with talking to the other girls and giving my own ideas I feel like 1 Corinthians says it best:

"Love is patient" Love waits for the right person. Love doesn't have deadlines, Love doens't happen too soon or too late. Love isn't perfect, but love makes compromises that takes time, calling each member bound by love it be: patient.
"Love is kind." Love does nice things for each other. Love doesn't hurt.
"It [love] does not envy" Love is thankful for the people you have, not wanting them to change so you can look better in the eyes of others.
"It [love] does not boast." Love doesn't happen because of what others can do for you. You don't fall in love with others because of the things they can do. Love doesn't give bragging rights.
"It [love] is not proud." Love is not for self-gratification.
"It [love] is not rude." Love is not offensive, love is being open.
"It [love] is not self-seeking." Love isn't something you do for yourself. Love is always being watchful of the others around you. Always putting others first, giving of yourself and expecting nothing in return.
"It [love] is not easily angered." Love doesn't sweat the petty things in life. Love loves at all times, in arguments and in differences.
"It [love] keeps no records of wrongs." Love forgives and forgets. It doesn't continue to bring up past mistakes, but looks forward to future rights.
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Love is always honest, even in times when being honest is hard. Love doesn't lie to others to make oneself look better.
"It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love is a relationship in which you can confide and know you are safe. Love allows for honesty and expects it to happen. Love always wishes for the best at all times. Love always continues with hard work and dedication.
"Love never fails" For, if something is to fail, it is not love.

A friend once told me that 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 was just a beginning point that outlined love, I feel as if i disagree.