Love is Patient

What do we really mean when we say that we love someone?  We use the word frequently and loosely.  We say it to many people along our path, to parents, siblings, friends, and even casual acquaintances.  It is a word easily said, but not easily performed.

Love is patient, it requires us to give of ourselves something that will take virtue from us in the form of tolerance, restraint, and a willingness to accept what is.    Love that is patient demands tolerance of another’s attributes that do not agree with ours.  It requires a forbearance of the differences in their ways that do not fit into our ideal of how things should be.  Patient love corrects with gentleness, and empathy.  It demands that we practice restraint when we are angry, and perseverance when things are not going our way.  Love that is patient waits honorably for change and holds blameless any reproaches that come while we wait on those changes.

Love that is patient accepts what is, and is respectful of the ideas, values and traditions of others.  To love someone patiently requires that we employ our highest version of ourselves, letting go of selfishness and pride.  Patient love possesses the ability to transform us into the honorable, ethical, uncomplaining souls that Christ has called us to be.

Patient love never fails

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient