When I was young, probably around 10 years old or so, I remember my Mom memorizing 1 Corinthians 13. I remember her walking around the house repeating the words over and over. I think, as far as I can remember she finally did memorize it. I don't remember how long it took, but she accomplished it. She never made a fuss about it or complained how hard it was to memorize. She was determined to do it. This past week in my Bible Study, we studied 1 Corinthians 13. As I was reading, my first mind picture was of my Mom, memorizing this chapter. It prompted a desire in me to memorize it as well. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'm going to commit to it during this Christmas season.
God's love humbled me as I studied this chapter. I have had many moments where God reminded me through unique and precious ways of His love. I love how He uses my beautiful grand babies to teach me about love. It's often through them that I learn lessons.
They greet me and shout "AMA." They say it with joy. What says love better than that! Our sweet Brooklyn (Beeba), she says love so beautifully through her smile and the sweetest songs you have ever heard. Brooklyn can sing an amazing amount of songs. She loves to stand on the table and sings loud and with the biggest smile on her face. Brooklyn just loves to sing! One of her favorites is ~
"Oh the Lords been good to me
and so I thank the Lord
for giving me the things I need,
the sun and the rain and the apple seed,
the Lords been good to me.
Amen Amen Amen Amen, Amen
Aaaaaamen."
I'm touched by those words when they're sung by this precious little girl. She may not understand the words of that song, but I understand them and those words create a precious reminder of His love and goodness. I'm always amazed how God uses her life to pour love into my own. Our hearts were broken 4 years ago when she and her brother Jayden were diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome. But now He uses their story and their lives to pour His powerful love back into mine and to many others. I can't understand it, nor will I ever, probably. But God teaches me, changes me and moves me through their lives. I'm so glad that God doesn't give up on us, but continues to provide and offer us His love in such unique ways. Those blessings are new every day. I'm glad He reminds us. Chapter 13 says that no matter what I say or how I speak, without love I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have gifts of knowledge and faith, but have not love, I am nothing. It doesn't matter what I do or how much I give away, without love I gain nothing. I'm so blessed that a little girl whom God brought into my life, reminds me of the amazing love of God. I'm blessed to have had a mom who loved me enough to share His word and love of memorizing. Its His way to remind me of the greatest gift of all. And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. His love never fails. Thank you Jesus for reminding me! Now lets give it away!
1 Corinthians 13
New International Version (NIV)
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have 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 does not dishonor others, 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 completeness comes, what is in part 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 the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a 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.
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