Love’s check list

Love suffers long and is kind. – 1 Corinthians 13:4

A woman named Nancy uses verses from 1 Corinthians 13 to help her cope with the frustrations of a busy family life. She calls verses 4 to 7 "Love’s Check List" and refers to it when anger wells up within her.

Nancy gave an example of how she uses her check list. She was running errands one morning before she and her family were to leave on vacation. Her husband Bill was at home caring for the children and getting things ready for an early afternoon departure. When she arrived home after stopping at the grocery store, her mother’s house, the post office, the bank, and the hospital to visit a friend, she found that all he had accomplished the entire morning was to wash and polish his car – which they weren’t even taking on the trip!

Nancy was angry and said some harsh things to Bill. Within a few minutes the words of Love’s Check List came to mind: "Love suffers long and is kind." She prayed, then she apologized to her husband for her angry outburst. He said he was sorry too, and they left that afternoon for their vacation – just a little late.

Next time you say angry, bitter things, remember Love’s Check List in 1 Corinthians 13. Better yet, consider it before you say them. – Dave Egner

Lord, fill our hearts with Christlike love,
With goodness, kindness, care,
Lest bitter thoughts and hurtful words
Will find a welcome there. – D. De Haan

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Bitter feelings can be sweetened when we take them to the Lord in prayer.

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 11-12
• Matthew 26:1-25