13 Degrees...

I am loving this weather. For the past two days I have worn capri pants and t-shirts; I have also been basking in the beautiful sunshine. I will admit, that sometimes I need to wear my sweater, but for the most part, I am just fine without. Days like these make me want to be somewhere other than school, with all that is looming overhead me.

I have been thinking a lot about love lately, and I am almost positive it is due to this weather. Springtime and love just go hand and hand. This isn't going to be a single woman's rant about the lack of romantic love in her life, so don't start rolling your eyes. I just love the concept of love. I know this isn't Valentine's Day, but we should reminisce about love more often. Isn't it a wonderful thing? Think about all the people in your life who love you. Now think about all the people in your life whom you love. What happens to your heart? Does it swell, almost bursting at the seams? What happens to your face? Does your mouth tip in a smile? Do memories come flooding in, of interactions with your loved ones? Do you remember the fun you have together? The times you cried together? It's such a powerful emotion, one that we take for granted much too often. We speak of the love chapter in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, but it has been read in a nonchalant manner. How often do we actually take the time to think about all that love actually entails? There is work we must do to truly LOVE someone, without simply saying it.

It is PATIENT. Many times I find myself impatient the most with those I love. Why is that? How dare I say I LOVE them, and lose my temper with them at the same time!This ought not to be. We must be patient with those we do not know, but more so with those we LOVE.

Love is KIND. I have struggled with this one a lot over the years. I have been so mean to my siblings and my parents, yet still profess to LOVE them. I am truly sorry for this!

Love does not ENVY. Wow. There's a tough one for many of us. I cannot say more.

Love does not BOAST, nor is it PROUD. How often do we carry pride within our hearts, hurting others in the process? We are called to love one another in humility.

Love is not RUDE. It is not SELF-SEEKING or EASILY ANGERED. It does not seek out EVIL but cherishes the TRUTH.

It PROTECTS, and TRUSTS, and HOPES, and PERSEVERES.

Above all, it NEVER FAILS.

Wouldn't you like to have someone love you like that? I'm sure that none of us can say we know ONE person who loves with all of these qualities. It is a shame, really, because I know there is much hurt caused in relationships where someone has too much pride, or envy. When someone is rude to the other person, or becomes angered easily. It's a hard list to remember, and even harder to live up to. Thankfully, we are only human, and while we should constantly strive to live up to these things, we should not beat ourselves up if we mess up sometimes.

I am happy to say I do know one person who loves me like this.

He is the only One who will EVER love me like this, even if I do find someone who loves me with that Romantic Love we all long for.

And so, I wrote a poem in honour of Him:

God, you are my rock of ages
My strength when I am weak.
You are the wisdom of the pages,
The treasure that I seek.

My Lord, my King, you're all to me,
I need You every hour.
You hear my cry, my urgent plea,
You only, my Strong Tower.

Speak words of life, into my soul,
Your love to me abounds.
With breath alone you make me whole,
Your peacefulness surrounds.

O God, You're true, You never fail,
You are a faithful friend.
Redeemer, Saviour, never frail,
Your glory will not end.
-AshWin-
March 16, 2009

Love, Ash