The passage in 1 Corinthians 13 about love is probably one of the most overused passages at wedding ceremonies. but this love is more than a love between a man and a woman - its a love that i, we, have to learn to extend to all.

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

it matters how my heart feels about giving love - i usually really want to give it, but when my patience wears thin and im at the limit of my tolerance, my irritation usually winds up in self-centredness and an inability to exercise control over my words and actions. and that doesnt usually manifest itself in loving action. hahaha. and when that happens.. i remember - RECHARGE MY EMOTIONAL BATTERY! haha.

for the first time in my life, i am so clearly able to discern when and if im walking right with the Lord - with extremely dire consequences if i continue on the path contrary to what He wants me to take. when i am easily annoyed, self-seeking, irritable.. VERY sure signs.

thank God for His faithfulness.. its a constant struggle not to stay a child anymore and put on the new man that i have in Christ every moment of everyday. its a struggle to ask satan to leave when sometimes the things he offers are pretty tempting. its a struggle to fight the human nature and the burning desire to respond rudely or be short with someone when things dont go your way.

i have alot to learn. any prayers would be much appreciated! (:
with love you gain everything.. we love because He first loved. love is such a wonderful thing! and its even more beautiful because we get to choose it. we get to choose to love. and trust God to teach us how to love the right way. (: how awesome that love makes us warm and bright!