A Mother's Take on I Corinthian's 13

My mother passed along a few parenting books to Jason and I that she and my dad read when my sister and I were young. I've been reading one of them recently called A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming. It's got some wonderful insight on developing character as a mother. This morning while Caleb was drinking his bottle next to me in bed I was reading a little bit and came across the author's own paraphrase of I Corinthians 13. I thought it was quite interesting, so I decided to write my own paraphrase this afternoon while Caleb is napping. Hope you enjoy!

"If I try to keep my house clean and in perfect order, but do not show love to my family -

it is all for nothing.

If I create the most beautiful drapes and pillows, delicious meals, always look attractive, but am not loving to my family -

I am nothing.

If I'm busy teaching Sunday school, playing for choir, teaching piano, meeting with friends, going to Bible study, but fail to give enough love to my family -

I gain nothing.

Love is patient... changes diapers, cleans up after meals, does laundry, comforts the sick - over and over and over again.

Love is kind, even though I'm tired and 8 months pregnant!

Love doesn't wish I was another woman -

who has no kids so she can go shopping or go on a night out whenever she feels like it.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my son's achievements... or my own.

Love doesn't scream back at my son.

Love doesn't feel sorry for myself because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today - read, take a long shower, nap.

Love doesn't react in anger quickly.

Love doesn't remind my husband that he's forgotten to take the trash out... again.

Love doesn't rejoice when another woman's children are going crazy on a plane and mine is not.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.