“Love is patient;….”

I Corinthians 13:4a (NRSV) 

This beloved passage of Scripture written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians is known as the “Hymn of Love.” It is often appropriated for weddings and is suitable for addressing other situations within family life. Indeed this text really provides us with a detailed description of the character of love. As such it applies not only to husbands and wives and to families, but to our church family and to all of our relationships, especially, inasmuch as Jesus instructed us to love our enemies. (Matthew 6:44)

Today, I want to focus on one distinctive characteristic of love, “love is patient.” It is good for those of us living in family relationships to be reminded that our love for those who are closest to us should exhibit patience. One problem is that our own rules of conduct and our jobs require us to be patient with others so much that when we come home from a day of dealing with people or the public, we often find our patience is in short supply with those we love the most.

• Consider teachers who have been patient with their students all day and then come home to their own children, who need help with homework or something else done by the next day.
• Consider health care professionals who have dealt with the complaints and demands of their patients for twelve or more hours and then come home to their families with their issues.
• Consider clerks in stores who have contended with disgruntled shoppers all day long and then come home where something has broken or there are other problems.

I realize that I have often come home and not shown that love which is patient to those I love the most. I need their forgiveness when I have been irritable, short-tempered, and impatient. On those days that have tried my patience, I especially need the Lord’s help to show this characteristic of love to those I love the most.

Prayer

Lord, in your mercy, help us to show the love that is patient with those we love the most, especially after having shown patience to so many others all day long. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.