Love is…
Love is patient…
Patience is waiting without grumbling whispers,
Accepting the timing when we don’t understand.
Patience is listening to what others are saying,
To pause and to trust when it’s out of our hands.
Love is kind…
The gesture of doing for stranger or friend,
Expected or not, your hand do you lend.
To have a kind heart in word or in deed,
Is being attentive to what others need.
Love does not envy…
Rather than finding ourselves always wanting,
Pursue contentment, acknowledge the blessings.
Knowing that jealousy tears people apart,
Seek to show love with a grateful heart.
Love does not boast, nor is it proud…
Quietly do you work without boasting,
If others get credit it’s up to the Lord.
Heartily work for God, not for men,
And from Him you’ll receive your reward
Love does not dishonor others, nor is it self-seeking…
Show honor by how you speak about others,
Treat each with care and respect.
Put others first and seek for their good,
In humility choose what is best.
Love is not easily angered…
Seek to be at peace with all men,
Strife is stirred when harsh words we say.
Be slow to anger and abound in love,
For a soft answer turns wrath away.
Love keeps no record of wrongs…
There will be times when we’re treated unfairly,
We’re hurt, or we think we’re unseen.
Then choose to show grace and offer forgiveness,
And trust that God will redeem.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth…
When ruthless men escape evil deeds,
Our hearts grieve for the innocent souls.
Then we must pray that God’s truth be revealed,
And rejoice when it’s faithfully told.
Love always protects…
Stand in the gap for the orphans and widows,
Defending the needy and poor.
Care for the children, the old, and infirmed,
Pray for the lost and unborn.
Love always trust…
When there is love, there is genuine trust,
Faith in another to do what they must.
As the Father is steadfast in His love for us,
We too should remain trustworthy and honest.
Love always hopes, it always perseveres…
We have hope because of the Lord’s steadfast love,
It never ceases but forever endures.
We persevere when we rejoice in this,
Our hope is eternal, and your promises are sure.
Love never fails…
God does not give up on us
No matter how broken, no matter how lost.
He has not forsaken those who seek Him,
His unfailing love was proved on the cross.
JZ 2025
1 Cor. 13:4-8