1 Corinthians for Moms

I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the



moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to



call the doctor-- but if I don't have love, I'm as



annoying as a ringing phone.









I can chase a naked toddler through the house while




cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix




the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and




I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch




Of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.









Love is patient while watching and praying by the




front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.









Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"









It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their




brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide




every need.









Love does not brag when other parents share their




disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices




when other families succeed.









It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day




long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a




time.









Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What




have you done today?"









It does not immediately seek after glory when we see




talent in our children, but encourages them to get




training and make wise choices.









It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old




acts like the world revolves around her/him.









It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous)




when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a




55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.









Love does not give up hope.









It always protects our children's self-esteem and




spirit, even while dealing out discipline.









It always trusts God to protect our children when we




cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail




polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes




and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep overs.









Love never fails! But where there are memories of




thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they




will fade away..









Where there is talking back, it will (eventually)




cease.









Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows




everything, there will one day be an adult who knows




you did your best.









For we know we fail our children, and we pray they




don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven,




our imperfect parenting will disappear.







When we were children, we needed a parent to love and




protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have




a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us




when we need to cry.







And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.




But the greatest of these is love.