There’s artwork in our master bathroom based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Most people are familiar with the passage, although some may not know its origins. It’s often quoted at weddings, whether religious or secular.

^“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud.  It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up.” (New International Reader’s Version-NIRV)

We’ve owned the artwork for decades, and I’ve been well acquainted with the Bible passage since I was in teens, but for some reason I’ve really been paying attention to this definition of love. I’ve decided to memorize the words, and more importantly, live them. Neither is easy. My brain doesn’t memorize as easily as it once did, and living out those words would be so much easier if people were, well, more loveable.

Why go to the trouble of memorizing and enacting this passage? Good question. It’s not a religious quest, although I do consider myself a person of faith and believe being a loving person is an important teaching of Jesus. The answer is quite simple; the people I love deserve to be loved as completely as possible. I don’t want to say “I love you” hypocritically. Life is short and I don’t want to stand beside a casket wondering if my loved ones knew just how much they were cherished.

So, I’ve decided to spend a little time exploring the nine listed attributes of love. Why don’t you join me? After all, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love…”

(Next: Love is Patient)