February comes, and the stores start trying to market things which they say will show our loved ones that we care about them. Be it flowers or candy, spending money is supposed to prove our love.
But love isn't meant to be shown one day or even one month out of the year. As the second greatest commandment, "Love one another", thoughts of love should be on our minds daily.
Love is a choice, and it's easy to choose to love our spouse when they're being, well, lovable. But true love denies ones self and stays steady even when the easier path isn't one of love.
If I'm going to love my husband, I need to know how God defines love. On my wedding day, I vowed obey my husband, because obedience is a sign of love. We obey our heavenly Father out of love (John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.").
The frequently cited passage about love from the New Testament comes from 1 Corinthians 13. When we got married, a friend of mine gave us this passage, framed, for hanging on our wall. It hangs there, year after year, and I've spent many hours reading the words and pondering my actions in light of them. And you know what? It works for me.
Love suffers long and is kind... Patience. Kindness. So many times I don't feel like having patience, yet this passage attacks that problem right away.
...love does not envy... Jealousy. A woman can think of a hundred things to be envious of, but envy will breed bitterness. My best solution? Get busy and keep loving!
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up... Oh, how many times I want to say, "See?! I was right." Love doesn't care about "right", it cares about kindness and patience and selflessness. Pride is self-love, and it will battle truly loving your spouse.
...does not behave rudely, does not seek its own... Gentleness rather than jesting, something I had to practice remembering. When I jokingly laugh at or belittle someone else, especially my husband, it forms a "rough" demeanor rather than conveying gentleness.
...is not provoked, thinks no evil... Ah, yes. The ever-tempting "I'm sure he meant..." or "How could he NOT notice?!" Think good thoughts. Think the best of your husband. You'll surprise him, and you'll probably surprise yourself, too.
...does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth... Do not be glad when your husband fails, even when you're tempted to start getting "puffed up" because of it. Rejoice in the truth in all situations and DON'T gossip, even to your husband.
...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Hopes all things? Bears all things? Endures all things? Believes all things? "My husband surely isn't worthy of perfect love like that," you say. Why should we?? Because God first loved us.

For practical, down-to-earth advice on making your marriage a blissful one, I recommend this book.
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Comments
WFMW
Absolutely beautiful post. Thanks for taking the time to share these wonderful thoughts!
An addendum
I also meant to recommend Dr. Laura's book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.
WFMW comment
Thank you for this post and pointing out the biblical passage. I really like how you pointed out that it's easy to love them when they are being loveable. I will ponder this throughout the week (and probably longer).
Thanks! Nikki All OUT Valentine's Day
That was a beautiful and
That was a beautiful and thoughtful post.
Neat... ;-)
That was a neat post! I am not a fan of Dr. Laura but sometimes my husband and I will turn on the TV and she will be on there "putting people in their place" if you know what I mean. It's funny.
Valentines Day....a commericalized and over rated holiday...LOL. Here on base they had Valntines Day stuff out Christmas Eve!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!
I can only imagine all the wives running around stark mad on the 14th cuz their husbands didn't get them flowers or chocolates...*sigh* Love and marriage is more than that (even though those things are nice...I don't get mad if DH doesn't buy me them...I have his love...and that's the best gift of all...it doesn't wilt away like flowers and doesn't get consumed in one sitting like chocolate).
Dawn
Great post! =) Happy
Great post! =) Happy Valentine's Day!
That is an awesome book!
I need to get mine out and read over it again. Thanks for the reminder. Great article, thank you.
My husband buys me flowers
My husband buys me flowers and other "treats" randomly throughout the year, "Just Because". THAT means more to me than him getting me something on our anniversary or on Valentine's. I love the flowers he gets me, they cheer me up and remind me of his love in a unique way for about two weeks. I don't ask for them, but I sure love them!
Oh, I loved that Dr Laura
Oh, I loved that Dr Laura book. I have read a couple of her books and have really enjoyed them.
I liked your point"...is not provoked..." I remember when I was first married and I would get upset about some little thing that my husband forgot or overlooked about me. I remember saying when he asked me what was wrong, "If YOU don't know than I'm not going to tell you." This exasperated my husband to no end. I have come to find out that my husband, as intelligent as he is, is not a mind reader. ;-)
I love Valentine's Day too, but I understand that if we don't show love all year round than Valentine's Day is pretty pointless.
Awesome Post
These are the things that true love are made from!
Thanks for sharing!
Tracy
www.LinesFromTheVine.com
Excellent post
This is one of the best WFMW posts I've read. Such good points, Tammy. Thanks a bunch.
Very nice post, and a great
Very nice post, and a great reminder.
Beautiful post Tammy :)
Lee seldom buys me flowers anymore, he brings in flowers for me that he has grown and cut himself :). So special! When he does buy me flowers he doesn't get the dozen roses he gets the rose bush, heehee :)!
This would be a great passage to have hanging out, we can always use a reminder.
Beautiful....
Well written, thanks for sharing that with us!
~Tanya
Very good
Very good reminder.
~Samantha
I forgot to sign my name. I
I forgot to sign my name. I am the one who loved Dr's Laura's book. ;-)
-Zan
Excellent!
LOL - like the math question! Anyway, I loved your post today, it was much like my own. Thanks for visiting and I'm going to be visiting your site much more!
sara
http://smcarney.blogspot.com
excellent commentary
Thank you for sharing these wise words about what love REALLY means.
Amy
Experience Imagination
(http://www.expimag.blogspot.com)
Thanks :)
Thanks for all the comments... I had no idea that my little post about love would be so enjoyed or appreciated! :)
Awesome Book!
I just finished reading it for the first time, it was a borrowed copy, and I had to purchase my own, knowing that I would need to read it again! I'll have to check out this Dr. Laura, I believe my Pastor's wife recommended it too...Thanks.
Julie
Created to be his help meet book
Julie, I agree! :) I think you will like the Dr. Laura book as well. It's similar, though from a more secular perspective. It's great! :)
P.S. Your photo is so cute :)
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