Sometimes, I find it hard it to love loved ones. Not because I don’t actually love them, but because I do not love them correctly. I say “I love you”, but I do not display it in my actions!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Unfortunately….
Nick is impatient, and he can be rude. Nick becomes jealous, boasts, and is prone to pridefulness. He has dishonored others, is infamously self-seeking, is very easily angered, and keeps a record of wrongs.
I said “I Love You” countless times.
You have heard it over and over again.
I told you with an innumerable combination of words.
I choose to love you – not due to a feeling, but as a commitment.
However, I want to apologize for the incomplete nature of my love.
I may declare my love, but I do not always show my love; my actions are not necessarily reflective of my commitment.
Therefore, I make a promise – I will ask God to develop a Christlike love in me. I will seek this, so you receive the love that you deserve. You deserve a love that is patient, kind, selfless, humble, and forgiving; you deserve a love that is not merely shared with words, but primarily given through my actions.
I will rely on the Lord’s power to create a love that overflows with the fruit of the Spirit! I love you, and my actions will no longer contradict that commitment!
So I request this of you – bear with me. I am a work in progress, seeking an incredible number of improvements; therefore, I can guarantee that my love will be flawed. Forgive my impatience, jealousy, pride, and anger. Pray that the Lord would continue to repair me and show me how to love properly – for I too will be asking this of Him.
Dear Lord, teach me how to love!
Question: What’s your capacity to love?
EdiTOR’s Note: Our family recently delivered our third child. As such, some blogging buddies of mine have graciously offered to write a series of guest posts to allow my family to spend a little time together – away from this blog. I’m deeply grateful for such friends, and I hope you enjoy their writing!
Nick Seders is a college student from Maryland, passionately pursuing a life of Ministry! He blogs at allnickedup.blogspot.com, and can be found on Twitter – @NCSeders.
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