Love suffers long

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  - 1 Corinthians 13.4

This is one of those chapters where I could obviously spend weeks just looking at nearly every word. Instead I think I will just do a verse a day and highlight some of the keys to what love is all about. 

Love has been so corrupted. The world presents a whole different view of love and if we are not careful we can swallow their view hook, line, and sinker. Love is not about falling not and out of. It is not some silly emotion. It is not fireworks or valentines or showy spectacles. Love is so, so much more. 

Love suffers long. It puts up with a lot. It is not put off by hard times or quirks or challenges or weaknesses or failures. Love just sticks as sticks and sticks. Love is a choice to just keep on loving. Love is 'till death do us part' not only in marriage but in the life of the believer. We choose to love and that is that. 

Love is kind. Love is not just about the big things. Love makes the cuppa tea. Love takes out the rubbish. Love bring home that batch of flowers. Love says 'please' and 'thank you' even after decades of being together. Love is niceness in all we say and how we say and do it. 

Love does not envy. It is not jealous of what the other person has. It is not envious of the other guy's successes in the midst of our disappointments. Love rejoices when the other has the things we don't. 

Love doesn't parade itself down Main Street. It doesn't need bands and majorettes and floats and crowds. Love is just there. It doesn't have to be on show. It is quiet not and not always on display, but it is always there. 

Love is not puffed up. It doesn't need bragged on. Love doesn't have to tell anyone how loving it is. It just shows.