The Gift of Love

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

It was a cold morning in Yerba Buena, Chiapas in the southern part of Mexico. There in the middle of the forest, laid a small village covered with fresh mist and the scent of pine trees. From our house on the hilltop, we could see the rooftops showered with a light drizzle and hear the birds chirping joyfully all around. At that time, I was five years old and as always, I woke up and went right to the fireplace and sat facing away from the warm, cozy fire. The relaxing crackling sound hardly kept me awake and soon I was engulfed in a pleasant dream until my back was warmer than usual. I woke up to the realization that my pajama was on fire, jumped up in terror and ran straight to the kitchen crying for help. My mother noticing my affliction quickly took off her apron and soon put an end to the frightening flames. There in my mother's arms I knew I was safe from all harm.

There's something special about mothers. From my observation throughout many years of my mom, my wife, my sisters, my grandma, and my friend's moms I have reached the conclusion that mothers have the gift of love. Prove me wrong if you can. Mothers possess a special and unique kind of love, perfectly described in the chapter of love.

Many people consider 1 Corinthians 13 as the most beautiful and perhaps the most important chapter in Scripture. There the apostle Paul points out that the use of God-given gifts would amount to nothing if love is not the priority.

Then the apostle says that love is patient, kind, free of envy and boasting, rejects arrogance and rudeness, is not insistent on its own way, is not irritable, is not resentful, doesn't rejoice at wrongdoing, rejoices in truth, and bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. I believe that's the type of love a mother has for her children.

Love is patient and kind.
A mother endures the pain of childbirth in order to bring new life into the world. A mother endures our disobedience, our sluggishness, our indifference, our ungratefulness, and our carelessness, and she still loves us. She has a special ability to soothe hurt feelings, to calm an upset child, and to help quietly in practical ways.

Love does not envy or boast.
Far from envy and jealousy, a mother celebrates when her children accomplish even insignificant actions. A mother doesn't show off her achievements nor pretentiously displays her abilities in order to gain her children's approval. She is confident in the reciprocity of her love.

It is not arrogant or rude.
A mother doesn't regard herself better than her children. She humbly attends the needs of her children, without feelings of superiority.

It does not insist on its own way.
A mother is not selfish. She shares, gives, and in return, receives love back from her children.

It is not irritable or resentful.
A mother forgives and forgets her children's mistakes. She does not keep a scorecard but makes allowances for her children. She does not exhibit that she's suffered because of her children.

It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
A mother does not automatically assume the worst about her children when they do wrong. She protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards her children from mistreatment and shame.

Love bears all things.
A mother sticks with her children in the good and bad. She remains watchful, yet hopeful, and steadfast in love with them.

Believes all things.
A mother always expects and anticipates the best in her children and the best for her children. She's able to overlook their offences and failures. She is willing to trust them even when that trust has been broken.

Hopes all things.
A mother never considers her children to be a lost cause. She never gives up on them, even when they fall and feel hopeless. She encourages them and is determined that no one is ever left behind.

Endures all things.
A mother doesn't walk away. She isn't dependent on circumstances or her children's behavior. She continues to press on no matter how difficult the circumstances. She is not content to sit idle but is always looking for new ways to help and encourage her children.

Love never ends.
A mother never ceases to love her children. A mother never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up.

Such love is a gift that comes only from God. He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). God does not force anyone to enter into a relationship with Him but He is constantly offering and inviting, drawing us to Himself (Revelation 3:20). My prayer for today is found in 1 John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us."

Friend, if you still have a mother, thank her for everything she did for you. Now it's your turn to do everything you can for her. Tell her how much you love her every day.

Would you comment something nice about your mother? I would really like to read it.

Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

Words by Hal H. Hopson