Savoring a Cup of Tea: Fruit of the Spirit (Love)

I (Betsy) love to read; as a result, I'm often searching for books on parenting or other issues in my life to glean advice from. While many of these books are godly sources of tips, advice, and teaching in these areas, they are still no substitute for the Bible itself. As I've spent time this year wondering how I can be a better wife and mother (and friend, sister, daughter, neighbor, etc.), the Fruit of the Spirit has come to mind frequently. When I really stop to meditate on this list, it's AMAZINGLY applicable to each of my relationships. We'll start with love.

I do not need to tell any other wife or mother out there how important this fruit of the spirit is. But rather than go on and on about it, I'm simply going to copy 1 Corinthians 13 below. I encourage to do what I've been doing lately: read through it slowly every day. I often think with familiar passages like this that "I know it already." But each new relationship/phase of your life will bring new ways to practice this passage. So, read it again, my friends.

I Corinthians 13: 4-8a

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.