Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
—1 Corinthians 13
I am an old woman. I have the luxury of reminiscing. I can't help but remember when the kids were young. This picture is from an ice storm in Georgia in the winter of 1973. We had no power but were camped out on the floor. We were all wrapped up in blankets to keep each other warm. Years have come and gone, and the kids are now grown with their own families. Love has carried us through many years. And love will always carry us. This 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love—this love of Jesus is the love I have wanted to give all my life. Many times, I have failed, but I have tried. May I always allow His love to flow freely in my heart. May I give as I have received. May this be the love I leave behind.
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