Many of us are familiar with the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, “Love is Patient, Love is Kind…” and so on. But before this very popular section of scripture, Paul writes: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, ESV).
To simplify, he is basically saying: I can be doing all the right things, but if I’m not loving, then I am not doing anything right.
We can do things with excellence, be well organized, have a tidy home and well behaved children. But, at the end of the day, was I loving? Was I loving as I accomplished my tasks and cared for my children or was I just moving through the day checking off my to-do list?
This is OH SO PRACTICAL for motherhood. We strive for checking those boxes, having a well ordered home and making delicious, healthy meals. Those are all great things do to. However, when those things are not done with a spirit of love, then I am gaining nothing.
I sure don’t want to be described as a noisy gong, and I bet you don’t either. So the takeaway is, evaluate how you are going about your daily routine. Are you speaking to your family and accomplishing tasks with love? AKA, Patience, kindness, gentleness, etc…
I thank God for His patience with me as I learn to be more like Him.