Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

i know. you’ve heard this verse a million times. it’s read at every wedding. it’s probably hanging somewhere in your mom’s house. most likely, you have memorized at least a portion, if not all of this verse.

so what do you think when you hear this verse? does it remind you of your wedding day, a dear friend, a family member? or maybe something you used to believe about love? perhaps this quote is more of an ideal for you. maybe it’s your reality. when you read the first part, do you complete the rest of the verse in your head, smiling or knowing every word but not really thinking about the meaning anymore? maybe you think of your children? or perhaps you think love cannot possibly be all of these things for you?

i think i’ve probably considered each one of these responses at one time or another. usually, i’ve heard this verse so many times its message doesn’t even register. i think i know it.

but do i? do you?

i did not have an #NTLTwednesdayword post prepared for today. i spent yesterday excited and planning for the new year’s 10 by 10 challenge and i ran out of time. but that must have been God’s plan all along.

thinking i would just skip wednesday word altogether this week, i hopped on the treadmill this morning and opened my ipad to read today’s proverbs 31 devotional. there was this verse. the one we’ve all heard a million times. i almost didn’t read the devotional. you know. since i am already an expert on this verse.

but then i did. and it blew me away. you have to read lysa’s terkeurst’s post. i promise you will never look at this verse the same way again.

the devotional inspired me to rewrite this verse for myself {in the image above}. and the wednesday word message for today took shape.

instead of what others’ love is or should be for us, let’s consider what our own love does. what our own love gives. and what our own love can offer.

this week i am focusing on the first verse. all day i have been whispering to myself love gives patience. when K walked as slowly as possible up to her room to get dressed. as i gave out medicine for bronchitis. as i was getting a cavity filled. as i sat together with E and his new magic set directions. as i sorted a mountain of laundry. and as i begin thinking about dinner, and baths, and bedtime. love gives patience.