I’ve been so busy trying to analyze a definition of God’s love. I mean the actual definitions of what love is.

I have been going through a difficult time lately and really thought about how much God loves me. I thought about how much love I have for my kids. There is no way I would ever leave my children or not love them.

I don’t even think I could imagine how much God loves me. In my darkest days, the only one that has been consistent and never left is God. He loves me more than I love myself.

All the fear that I have on abandonment, insecurities on whether I am raising my children right. He meets me where I am always. I am not alone.

I remember going away from my family in high school for a short time. I was away from everything that was familiar to me. This was one of the most peaceful times for me. I think it’s because all the familiar distractions weren’t there either. I also couldn’t rely on relationships to satisfy what I really needed, Him.

I know that I was able to experience God’s love for me on a completely different level. I focused on his love completely. I felt him relieve my fear of abandonment. He was with me through every trial. He is with me today. I imagine him next to me.

Prayer: Father, I ask today that you will help me stay focused on your love for me, that you will let me to share this love with others. No matter what I am going through, you still accept me for who I am. I may feel alone, but you are always there. Forgive me for the times I have left you. Thank you for never leaving me nor forsaking me.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind: charity envieth not: charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Pride has been the downfall of man since the beginning when Satan wanted to be better than God. (Isaiah 14:13-14). He wanted to know more, have the power and glory for himself. Pride certainly sent Satan out of the kingdom of heaven and his deceit of the world was soon to follow.
Satan promised everything this world has to offer and even tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:7-11). He tempted him by offering all the kingdoms of the world. He was tempting God almighty in the flesh. God’s love is more than what Satan has to offer.
Jesus endured the temptations that we often face ten-fold. He did this first because he loves us so much. He was also teaching us that we can resist temptation. Jesus patiently endured and was attended to by the angels.
We can rest assured that God will command his angels concerning us to guard us. (Psalm 91:11).

Prayer: Father, thank you for coming to earth, enduring temptation, and for being the perfect example of humbleness. Thank you for casting pride down. You have helped us see what pride will do and taught us to be grateful and humble in love. We are so thankful for your everlasting love and that you will send angels to care for us so we won’t stumble.

1 Corinthians 13: 4 Charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself

Envy is a malice desire to see another suffer. Also, a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another.
To vaunt is to make a vain display of ones own worth or attainments, a vainglorious display of what one is or has done.
In studying this scripture, I formed a list of what love isn’t according to God’s word. I hope that this helps gain a better understanding of how envy and boasting can strip our love for one another.
The desire to see another suffer or have pain isn’t love. What feelings does envy bring about? anger, hate, resentment, feelings of revenge. Anger can become a violent action. Resentment can cause us to focus on unforgiveness. This alone can cause sleepless nights. Our minds can become consumed with what someone else has done to us.
These are all feelings that the enemy wants us to focus on. We can become caught in the trap of focusing on what someone else possesses instead of gratitude. Boasting blesses oneself instead of others. These are feelings we are all faced with.
By focusing on God and his love for us, we can overcome these negative emotions. By focusing on his qualities and how we can be more like him, we can take the focus off of ourselves. I have learned that focusing on everyone else tends to hurt my relationship with God. We all could use more love, along with understanding.
There are different ways we can address these feelings in our life. A technique in mindfulness and awareness expressing compassion helps. This takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on others who may be hurting in similar ways. Often times we only know one side of the story or a distorted view.
Prayer is helpful in that we can go to God and ask him to bless those in our lives that we may have envy for. Talking to God about these feelings will calm our spirit and help us to deal with any judgment we have in our hearts.
By looking at ways negative feelings can turn into actions such as murder, stealing and rage. We can gain a sense of how envy can manifest into so much worse. We don’t always understand what everyone is going through. God wants his best for us and loves us so much. Life is so much better in love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind

What does patience look like without kindness? Patience yet great can still be cold and insensitive. I can stand in silence waiting but my expression can still be mute. Patience without kindness will not have the impact that a patient spirit of love will.
God calls us to have patience in love, in kindness. So, not only am I being patient, I am also showing love and grace with affection. Patience and kindness are better together than patience alone.
Focusing on His love working through me, I am able to give patience with motivation. This takes appreciation for the love that God has given me. I appreciate his direction, guidance, and kindness. He is patient with me when I scramble to find my own way. He allows me to draw nearer to Him. The Holy Spirit gives me peace and love.
Kindness is: affection, mercy, love, patience, empathy, freedom, paying it forward, and helping. Kindness is: a smile, lifting our brothers and sisters up in prayer, giving, and nurturing.
I choose to be peacefully patient and seek God’s guidance to fulfill this area in my life.
Father, I pray that you will guide me on not being just patient, but being patient with kindness. Lord, I realize that often times it is easy for me to be impatient with myself and my children. Please help me to focus on the bigger picture. I welcome the Holy Spirit and the peace that you give in your Word. Amen

Charity suffereth long, and is kind: charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up 1 Corinthians 13:4

I found myself thinking about my level of patience with my oldest child this morning. I have levels and God doesn’t. God has limitless patience for me.
When I find myself being impatient with my son, I notice a few things about my body and my mind. My breathing becomes heavy. I am angry and ashamed.
All these emotions take over my actions. Then the insecurity begins. Satan loves the insecurity. He likes to threaten my relationship with God. What better way to threaten me than to attack my security in Him.
I have to pause, as a friend recently shared with me. I remember what it was like to feel like everyone was watching me at school when I was crying. I wondered if my friends would notice my hurt. Wiping the tears from my face, checking my eyes in the mirror, and trying to swallow the huge lump in my throat to keep myself from breaking down.
My son is experiencing some of the same things I did at his age. Then it hit me, how patient is God with me? My own measure of patience can be out of touch with God’s. How much am I willing to suffer? Even so, it would never compare to my father’s immeasurable patience.
God has been so patient with me. He lets me fail even though he hurts with me. His heart breaks for me. He lets me suffer, only to draw me closer to him and remind me of the patience he has for me.
I said “I have been more than patient with you.” to my son. My level doesn’t compare to the love that God gives me. This kind of love is the eternal love that I want in my life. I want my children to know this love.
My prayer today is: Father, please help me to be more like you, long suffering, and waiting. My actions will shape the actions of my children. I want to know more about you so that you will shape the actions in me. Please forgive me for not responding in true love, by being impatient.

I bought some felt the other day and some googly eyes to make some puppets for our Children’s Church. I bought white and decided I would find a way to add color instead of buying multiple colors. I got a bundle of felt 54″x72″, large enough so I would have some left over for other projects.

After I cut my pattern out from cardboard, I sewed my puppets based on the size of my hands. I tapered them so the kids could use them too. I started adding color with dry erase markers. These worked great for the outlines. The kids suggested that it would be a good idea to have a play based on Daniel in the Lion’s Den. I began thinking of ways to make the puppets stand out.

I used acrylic paint and a foam applicator with water. I used the markers for the outlines, including the eyes, fabric adhesive for the glasses and beard.