Love Never Fails

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

And so I choose to love.

“Love is patient, love is kind.”

I will learn to sit in both the discomfort and the joy. I’ll give you all the time you need. I will treat others with gentleness that honors them.

“It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

I will lay myself aside. I will seek my own contentment so that I’m not jealous of what you have. I will walk with integrity and humility— knowing who I am, nothing more and nothing less.

“It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

I will learn to keep my mouth shut when I don’t need to speak. I will speak kind, true, and necessary words. I will choose temperance over gossip and a tender heart over my own temper. I will forgive quickly and completely.

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

I will walk away from the things that do not build the Kingdom of God. I will speak truth, even if my voice shakes. Even if you walk away.

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

I will always choose your good over mine. I will always trust that God is at work. I will always want you to be exactly who you were made to be, and I’m here for the long haul.

“Love never fails.”