Love
is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is
not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record
of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth.
Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest
of these is love.
Good
News Bible 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7,13
Love is an emotion that we all feel throughout our lives. It takes
many forms- the love of a parent, the love of a sibling, the love of
a child, or the love of a pet.
I have been blessed as most of us have to feel surrounded by love all
my life, but it was only recently that I experienced true love. At
times I felt unloved and alone and I looked around to find signs of
love around me – at that moment, without fail, I found it in
the simple things – the cold nose or extended paw from one of my
dogs and if you don't know my fellas, they are big and have
giant paws! Or I found it in a family photo or when remembering what
my mom's laugh sounded like – these simple things reminded me that
God is always there for me and will always love me unconditionally. I
had always longed to fall in love and marry my best friend and I was
beginning to think that God had other plans for me. And then, one of
those moments happened again and Ed walked into my life. We
fell in love and I was able to turn the dream of true love into
reality.
I dreamed of my wedding for many years and when I finally got to plan
it for real, I wanted to capture all the images I had in my mind. I
wanted to hear the organ as I walked down the aisle and see my chosen
mate for the first time that day but most of all I wanted to hear my
pastor read this scripture- always one of my favorites. On
August 2, my wedding day, I got my wish as I was able to stand before
God in front of my family and friends and hear Pastor Judson say
those words to Ed and I.
That day we opened a new chapter in our life and we began a new
journey. We learn each day that love never gives up and we remember
the message Pastor John had for us that day - love is a choice. I am
blessed to have found Ed to share my life with and I am blessed to
feel love in so many ways. Thanks be to God.
God, Please
help me to remember that you are always there for me, even when I
feel alone. Help me to remember that you love us unconditionally and
that love is a choice and a blessing.
Amen
Mary Aho
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