How Loving Are You?

If you were to give yourself a letter grade (A,B,C,D,F) on your ability to love others, what would it be?

First Corinthians 13: 4-7 is the most complete definition of love in the Bible.

These verses are often read at weddings, but after the ceremony how often do we really try to cultivate them into our lives and particularly our marriage?

I’m borrowing an exercise from a pastor friend of mine where he asked his audience to take a test. While he was focusing on those within the church body, Id like to ask you to focus on your relationships within your family, particularly with your spouse.  Go back to each verse and write down all your feelings, thoughts and celebrations and concerns about how loving you are.  For example, take the first phrase, “Love is patient,” and read it substituting your name instead of the word love; i.e., Penny is patient.  Then, I would reflect on whether or not this was true.  True for strangers perhaps, but what about my husband, my children or grandchildren?  Maybe I’m not patient at all. Or, maybe I’m very patient and this is one of my strengths.  Answer it for yourself, then go through the rest of the versus.

You will more than likely discover some important insights about yourself.  Now, from those that need work, ask yourself, “What am I going to do to improve in these areas?”