1.25.2011

One Way to Love






This past weekend we witnessed the union of

two lives,

two loves,

two sweet friends

that now exist as

one.








"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

Since then, I've been pondering the familiar "passage of love" found in 1 Corinthians 13:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking..."
My mind keeps pausing there, my heart hurts, and I linger on this portion for awhile:
 
It is not self-seeking.

{Inwardly I groan, because it pains me, pierces me; I know I wrestle with this}

Not self-seeking.

How many times have I sought after my own wants, my own little luxuries, my own time away, my own accomplishments?  "Me.  Me.  Me."  I have times like that.  But it's not about me, not at all.  How could I forget?

 
 

Love is not self-seeking. 
 
It's right there, in the Book. 
 
He's talking to me, to you, to each of us.  I will listen; I want Him to teach me.  I need Him to teach me.
 

And so, precious mamas, for the remainder of this week (longer?), will you come alongside and practice seeking to serve others more?  Seek to serve them graciously, lovingly, faithfully, as you would if you were serving Him?  Do it unto Him?  Prayerfully?

Serve your husbands, your children, your church family, your neighbors?
 
Will you find a way, make the time?

 

What will it look like when you do?  What will you do?  How will you do it?  What will happen?  Will you be changed?  Will they?
 
And then, when we practice it, perhaps even make a lifelong habit of it, in His strength, we can rejoice in the words to follow, that love  "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
 

   Serving unto Him,

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12 comments:

  1. Mrs. StamJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    I love this post, and those picture are amazing! Aren't wedding the best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. TraceyJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I also wrote on love today! With friends of ours struggling in their marriage, my husband and I have been discussing how much love looks like selflessness - putting the other spouse's needs ahead of your own. Serving, as you mention, is putting feet to our selflessness.

    Hope you have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    This is so sweet! So glad to call you "friend", Jaime. :)
    What a wonderful reminder to live our lives with a servant's heart and show true love to those around us. Always.

    Love you!
    Amber
    (The Bride! Wooo Hooo!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jaime @ Like a Bubbling BrookJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Mrs. Stam, yes, they are wonderful!

    Tracey, I love that: "putting feet to our selflessness." Now to learn to walk with those feet.... :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. SummerJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    What a wonderful reminder. I think we can all work on this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Far Above RubiesJanuary 25, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Jaime, a very timely message. Thank you, friend.

    God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Susan EvansJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Being self-seeking is just our default. I must constantly yield to God if I expect to be selfless in my relationships with others.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ann at eightacresofedenJanuary 25, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    My husband and I were blessed with two wedding ceremonies. The 'proper' wedding at the Baptist church in England were we met and on our return to New Zealand another celebration for his family and friends at their farm. I was able to write our own vows and I used the passage in Philippians 2 which points us to the example of Christ. We declared in front of family and friends (mostly unsaved) that we would be like-minded, have the same love, be of one accord, that we as a couple would do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit and esteem others better than ourselves. I have these vows written out and they have been a constant reminder throughout our marriage of 21 years of what it means to have a servant heart. When I struggle with serving, verse 13 reminds me that 'it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MichelleJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Read your story on the house purchase on christian fp. Loved it.

    Thanks for this timely post. A not so subtle reminder to me today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Muthering HeightsJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Ouch!!

    I think many of us gloss over that particular line...but how much truth we miss!!!

    Beautiful reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Julie@comehaveapeaceJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Weddings are a beautiful reminder of our vows to live lovingly each day. I always feel challenged as I listen to the words spoken to the bride and groom. The actions of love are never "old," and I never get past needing the reminders.

    Thank you for adding this to Marriage Mondays,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    That stained glass just takes my breath away (the brides pretty too :) ) I found you on Raising homemakers and am a new follower, if you're interested in following back I'm over at www.lessonsfromivy.com

    ReplyDelete

I truly enjoy reading your comments. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts; you've all helped to create a wonderful little community here at Like a Bubbling Brook.

Please remember the old adage "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." While I love to hear from you, comments encouraging division and condemnation will not be published - rather, they will be promptly deleted.

I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say! I wish we could chat over coffee or tea one day ~

xoxo,

Jaime

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