I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing
Ten Little Monkeys until I want to call the doctor, but if I don't have love.
I am as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and
listening to the voice mail. I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid
in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one
touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient, while watching and praying by the front window when
it's 30 minutes past curfew.
Love is kind when my teen says, I hate you!
It does not envy the neighbor's swimming pool or new mini-van, but
trusts the Lord to provide for every need.
Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and
insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.
It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my
husband can't do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, what have you done today?
It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our
children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
It is not easily angered even when my 5-year old acts like the world
revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my
17-year old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the
truth.
Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's
self-esteem and spirit, even while doing discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot.
It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps, and other bodily
functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleepovers.
Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of
diaper changes and painful labor(s) they will fade away.
Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please,
Lord?)
Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will
one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in
therapy, but when we receive eternal life, our imperfect parenting will disappear.
(Thank you, God!)
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now
that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores us,
shelters us, and holds us when we need to cry. And now these three
remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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