Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7, NLT)
Every morning as I dragged myself into the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast before school, I’d always see my dad, sitting at the dining room table, glasses perched on his nose, reading his bible. Dad started every day with coffee, a fruit pie, and the Word of God
Years later, after being verbally attacked and belittled by another mother at the elementary school where our children attended, I stopped by my parents’ home to lick my wounds and regroup before heading off to work. As I passed by the dining room, there sat my dad, in that familiar place.
In pure frustration, I plopped down next to him and sighed.
“Dad, how can you always be so nice to people–even people who are mean to you?”
“What happened?” he asked.
“This horrible woman actually threatened me because I put her daughter in the second act of the talent show,” I explained. “What difference does it make? It’s an elementary school talent show! Seriously?”
“So did you make the change?” he asked.
“Absolutely not! I will not be bullied into moving her daughter into the first act! If she thinks she can do a better job, then she should’ve volunteered to run the talent show instead of complaining about every decision I make.”
I was just about to continue my rant when Dad gave me that fatherly look I’d seen a million times growing up.
“You think I should move her daughter to the first act, don’t you?”
Then Dad said something I’ll never forget.
“Honey, I’ve found that if you err on the side of love, you’ll never have any regrets. Let me show you something…”
With that, Dad turned to a page marker in his bible and read First Corinthians chapter 13–The Love Chapter–out loud. I could feel hot tears of conviction streaming down my face.
“I read this chapter every morning,” he said, peering over the top of his reading glasses. “I’ve been doing that for many years. It’ll change your life.”
I knew he was right because I had seen my father walk in love when others would have acted ugly, and I also knew that I needed more love in my life. I started that very day, reading The Love Chapter as part of my daily time with God.
Sure I’ve missed a day or two over the years, but I’ve read it so many times that I now have it memorized. And, when I’m confronted with an angry stage mother or a rude salesperson or an agitated family member, I simply recite verses 4 through 8 until I can once again walk in love—just like my father and my Heavenly Father.
In case you don’t have time to look up that passage right now, I thought I’d go ahead and provide it right here so you can begin reading it today.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
Take it from my dad–it’s always better to err on the side of love. Let’s start living the love chapter in our daily lives, and let’s start today.
Pray this with me: “Father, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Please fill me up with your love so that I might walk in love day in and day out–no matter the circumstances. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.”
