Love is Patient, Love is Kind

Love is patient, love is kind.

— 1 Corinthians 13:4

Certainly patience is a virtue. Patience is a mark of good character.

But why precisely, must love be patient?

Love is patient, of course because God is love,

and how patient God is with you and me!

I think about all the missteps in my life,

the habits that have built up walls between me and God

and between me and others whom God has sent into my life.

I think about the times I have listened

to every other voice out there but God's.

But God still loves, unfailingly.

And the love that is poured out for me -

quite concretely in the loving, patient sacrifice of Jesus -

where is it to go? To others, in love. Patient, forgiving, merciful love.

Loving God, you are so patient with me.

Help me love others as you love me.

Amy Welborn