Sunday, August 10, 2014

1 Corinthians 13 in Dorm Life

Love isn't something I'm very good at. In the Hollywood sense of the word, I've never been in love. I don't understand the need to text or see someone every day, and I'm not sure I ever will. But it's more than that. Someone once told me that it's hard for others to love me because I don't seem to let God fully love me, so then I can't give or receive love properly. I think there is some truth in that, and I'm not sure that I'm the only one who has that problem. That being said, I'm not being a Debbie downer about my ability to love people. There are lots of people who I love, but today I'm concerned about showing love to those people I either know and do not love with Christ's love or do not yet know and still realize I should show love through Christ's strength. 

The Bible talks about love a lot in this sense. God is love. 1 Corinthians 13 is probably the most famous passage on love, and it explains just how important it is. How empty our lives are if we do not have love. 

Today is the beginning of a new school year at Morrison. All of our dorm students (except for a select few still on their way) are moved in and currently experiencing their first day of school. This afternoon I will head to dorm #1 and begin my year being fill-in dorm parent at least once a week in each of four dorms. It's a daunting task. These are teenagers. Sometimes they are grumpy. I'm 25. Sometimes I am grumpy. So I guess that's a wash. How on earth are we supposed to make it through a whole year of living life together without someone ending up worse for wear? I'll tell you how. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "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 in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

If we can hold on to these things we can get through this year, and probably even enjoy it! So join me in a prayer for this kind of love. May I remember this year especially to protect, trust, hope, and persevere in relationships with each of my students, coworkers, and Heavenly Father, and may you do the same. 

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