what is it like

to be long suffering?

to see the wicked prosper?

to see cruel hearts have their way?

to have been hurt very deeply and still move on?

to be let down repeatedly and still forgive?

to deny oneself for the sake of others?

to still put others first when you yourself have a need?

to still choose to be happy in spite of all these?


as one ponders, that's what it feels like to love:

No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do,
I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.

... 1 Corinthians 13:3-8 the message