"If I don't have love, I have nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:3
When I applied the true meaning of love in 1 Corinthians 13 to my life, it got me thinking. Us mothers have an outward focus, busying ourselves with the needs of our families. Are lunches packed, enough underwear clean? I wonder if I can leave early to catch James’ basketball game? Is Sarah doing well at daycare? Thoughts of family constantly crowd our minds. Push these worries aside for a few minutes and think about you.
Do you love yourself?
Loving ourselves doesn’t translate into liking everything about us. For example, I hate that my feet are size 12 and I don’t have the privilege of purchasing fashion’s latest flats, girl-coloured sandals or pumps. In Grade 6 my Grandfather had the same runners as mine. I sported men’s shoes until Payless Shoesource appeared on the scene. It’s ok, I feel sorry for me too! Let’s look further into what Corinthians says about love:
Love is patient and kind. When we were newlyweds, my husband noticed I called myself an idiot after making simple mistakes. I was putting myself down without realizing. Are you hard on yourself when you don’t measure up to your standards?
Love does not envy. Are you satisfied with you, or do you envy others talents, possessions, status, careers, relationships etc?
Love thinks no evil. I have always been confident in my smarts and work ethic. Once I set a goal, I will achieve it; however, I have beat myself up multiple times in regards to my body, kitchen skills and wife abilities. What are your negative thoughts?
Love hopes all things, endures all things and ... never fails. No matter how many interviews we botch, habits we can’t kick, or diets we fail, never give up.
“Love is patient and kind, it 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 truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things; endures all things. Love never fails,” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
I challenge you to embark on the journey of loving yourself. Once we do this, we can truly love our spouses, sons, daughters, coworkers, neighbours and friends.