1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. h. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

When the chaos of the Paris, France attacks began, I was instantly brought back in my mind to what Paris means to my husband and I. This beautiful city is where we heard these words of love in 1 Corinthians and said, “I do.”

We were married in this gorgeous city of lights, we fell in love all over again, and we vowed to spend forever loving each other with the love described in these bible verses. As the world seems to be getting more and more filled with everything but love, I was reminded of a few things and I am grateful.

I was reminded that love really has no boundaries. We can choose to love greatly, selflessly, humbly, with our whole heart, graciously. We can choose to love when everything around us is filled with hate & sadness. We can love the poor, the weak, the broken hearted, the widowed and orphaned.

I was reminded that part of love is patience & as a mama bear of a 12 month old, I must remember this daily. It isn’t easy learning all my baby boys’ communication, his choppy words, and his cries because he is teething or sleepy. It is not easy trying to be all he needs, exactly when he needs it. But gosh that baby boy has my whole heart. He has given me a love that makes me a greater human being. So patience…and lots and lots of coffee!

I was reminded how amazing my husband is and how undeserving I am. I am eternally grateful God gave Lorenzo to me. I am forever thankful that he chose me to be his wife. I was reminded of these verses that were in our vows. I was reminded that love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. What a motto for marriage, what a goal to strive for. What if I reminded myself daily to make my marriage this way? I was reminded that no matter how great of a marriage I believe we have, growing is always a good thing and these verses give me a great platform to grow on.

So even though my heart ached when hearing the news of these awful attacks happening all around the world, and especially in Paris, I was also reminded of some really important things. I was brought back to remembering that not all circumstances have to make me scared, worried, or stressed. I know how truly blessed I am and was reminded to never stop being grateful for that.

My heart goes out to all the innocent lives lost and forever changed by these events, and I am praying daily for the refugees and those displaced by these attacks. But my heart is a little bigger, a little stronger, and a lot renewed because of them.

May we never forget that life is a precious gift, that love is free to give, and that filling our hearts with peace and joy is the only answer.