No Matter What

When does it hurt the most to keep a promise? Quite possibly the promises we meant the most when we said them can be the ones most difficult to keep. I seem to be on a theme here because yesterday I wrote about how we treat those we love the most. And these verses are really referring to how we can live in God's presence (and only with His help). But I digress even before I actually got to where I was going. These thoughts took me to the great love chapter in the Bible, 1 Cor. 13.

Many weddings use the words of this chapter whether those getting married even realize they are from the Bible or not. Let me put my own little spin on it:

Love is patient, even when you're dragging your feet about wanting

to go somewhere with me. Love is kind--it means I won't snap at you

or be sarcastic at your expense. Love does not envy--I'll celebrate

your achievements, big and small without thinking others should know

how much I helped along the way. Love doesn't boast so I won't be

tooting my own horn instead of tooting yours. Love is not proud--I'll

think more about how great you are than how great I am. Love is not

rude--I'll remember--no put-downs! Love is not self-seeking which means

I will be thinking about your needs, not just my own. Love is not easily

angered so I won't fly off the handle at any little thing. Love keeps no

record of wrongs so I won't go historical on you (yes, historical--bring-

ing up every little thing you've ever done wrong) when we get into an

argument. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth--I

will not twist your words to mean something other than that you love

me. Love always protects--I'll have your back always. I'll never speak

badly of and will always defend you. Love always trusts, always hopes,

always perseveres--I will assume the best of you and even when you

fail I will believe in you again. When we fail each other I will stick

by your side knowing that with God's help we will make it through.

Love never fails--I know we will fail each other from time to time, but

because we have God's love in our lives as our standard my love

for you is a given. I will always choose to love you, no matter what.

When does it hurt most to keep a promise? Maybe it's when I have failed you so badly I think you should give up on me. Maybe it's just every day that I take you for granted instead of loving you fully. Maybe it's when I forget to bring God into the equation--you and me, together with God, yes, we can conquer mountains, overcome all odds, love forever. I promise.