Years ago, nurse someone made the suggestion that I do a self-check by reading 1 Corinthians 13 and inserting my name in place of “love” as I read. I failed miserably. I have done that test many times since then. I always fall short, prostate but it helps me to see areas where I need to repent and allow the Spirit to live through me.
In one of my finer, Spirit-led parenting moments, I sent my older daughter to her room, said a prayer for wisdom to address the heart issue we were dealing with, joined her on her bed, and told her to get her Bible. Without saying another word, I read verses 4 through 8 to her, plugging her name in for the word “love” each time.
By the time I finished, tears were streaming down her face. We talked about the standard that God, who is Love, has set for us to live by. We talked about how impossible it is to live up to that standard and about the importance of letting Him live it out through us. Then we prayed, asking Him to do just that.
When I think about Valentine’s Day, I think of hearts, parties, candy and flowers. But it’s more than that. It’s about love, and according to God, everything is about love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV1984)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV1984)
As I consider our homeschool and our family, I realize that none of it means anything without love—unconditional love, the kind God has for us. All of the hard work, struggles, laughter, games, and time spent together are invalidated if they’re not done in love.
This Valentine’s Day, I’m doing another self-check. I want His love to abound in this place.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV1984)
How do you keep love the “main thing” in your family?
You can read more about Jennifer and her family’s attempts to walk in love on her blog: Jennifer A. Janes.
Jennifer, thank you for a way to examine our lives through Scripture in such a bold and powerful way! It’s exciting also when we can help our children see themselves and the way we should live straight from the heart of God’s Word.
It is definitely a powerful exercise, Kela! It shines the spotlight right on the places that need the most work! I love being able to show the girls that the rules I’m teaching them to live by are His rules, not my husband’s and mine!
Beautiful. I will definitely be doing a self-check reading 1 Corinthians. Now, how do we keep the love the main thing in our family? We try to keep God first in our family and do as much as we can together as a family.
Those are great ways to keep love the main thing, Joy! It is hard to do things together as a family! Even when we’re all in the house together, it’s too easy for each of us to go his/her own way. That’s a great focus to have!