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I remember trying to memorize this scripture passage, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. No matter how hard I try, I can only remember the first and very last parts well... "Love is patient, love is kind... Love never fails." I know there's more to it; a lot more. But, I find these to be the toughest... to be patient, and to never fail (give-up). I don't know about you, but that's really hard for me. I'm energetic, easily distracted; a starter, an "idea person"... never known to be patient, thorough or a "finisher". Not so with my dear hubby. In these areas he excels. I know Jon loves me because though I mess up he frequently chooses to overlook it, not mention it, or remind me of some area in which I shine. Watching him patiently wait for me to grow in certain areas over the last 10 years is one way in which I know I am truly loved. So, the kids and I are working on this "love" thing. "Jordan, if you really love Jonathan you won't blow-up every time he does XYZ. Be patient with him, he's only 4 yrs. old. Remember, love is...?" "I know. Patient." Some translations call patience, longsuffering. I've realized lately how rarely any of us actually do that. I mean, how often do we suffer for someone else for a long time? Family. Marriage (if you're serious about it lasting forever.) And, for me, church. There are always occasions to be hurt enough to want to stop bearing the suffering, but I don't. Why? These situations all include one common denominator - commitment. You see, we can dive into friendships and right back out when things get uncomfortable. We can apply for jobs and work hard while our needs are getting met, then quit when the cost seems too high. Some even decide to marry because, hey, if it gets too hard we can simply divorce. It seems to me that if we could just get better at making a commitment to God and others we will get much better at loving God and others. Why do some churches seem full of unloving people? Perhaps it's because some are full of uncommited people. Commitment seems to be what enables us to truly "suffer long" for others. That's love. Maybe, instead of ending our conversations with, "Love you," we should consider ending them with, "I'm committed to you." So, to whomever reads this... I'm committed to you. (Please tell me who you are so I can be sure to walk it out!) ;-)