I groaned. My alarm was going off for church. I'm really tempted to skip today but I must go. I got up, washed my face, applied my makeup. Applying makeup is such a spiritual thing. It's kind of weird. After coating my eyelashes with mascara I put my dress on. I walked into Juliet's room to see if she was there. She wasn't, must have stayed at the party the whole night.

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When I walked in I saw my friend sitting in the front row area. She waved me over with a huge smile on her face. I sat next to her and a couple other youth group friends. Sarah is super excited about the sermon this morning because the pastor is going to be talking about love. Love. Something that I'm feeling but don't necessarily have. I want that love with Harry. My mind is wondering all about Harry and I, what we could be. But my mind returns when the pastor speaks into the microphone.

"A Peanuts cartoon shows Lucy standing with her arms folded and a stern expression on her face. Charlie Brown pleads, “Lucy, you must be more loving. This world really needs love. You have to let yourself love to make this world a better place.” Lucy angrily whirls around and knocks Charlie Brown to the ground. She screams at him, “Look, Blockhead, the world I love. Its people I can’t stand.”

I’m sure we all feel that way from time to time, and some of us feel that way most of the time. Maybe you feel that way right now. Loving the world in general isn’t that difficult; loving the people around us can be a major challenge. In 1 Corinthians 13, we find one of the most beautiful and familiar chapters in the Bible. This chapter is typically read at weddings and anniversary celebrations. It has even been set to music. Yet, this was never the original intent. Instead, Paul was writing a rebuke to a dysfunctional church for their abuse of the spiritual gifts. Typically though, this understanding is often ignored. Consequently, I wonder if most Christians have truly pondered the deeper meaning of this passage. Have we heard this Scripture so often that we no longer think about what the words mean? I would suggest that if we ignore the context of this chapter we are in danger of missing its major impact.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul will argue that love is an action, not an emotion. The kind of love Paul will talk about is seen, experienced, and demonstrated. This is contrary to our culture that honors personal feelings above almost everything. We do what we want when we want because we “feel” like it. And if we don’t “feel” like it, we don’t do it. But as I study this passage, I am struck by the complete absence of any stress on personal feelings. Hence, if love is an action, not an emotion, we need to study what God has to say about love. We need to know what love is and what it looks like when it is lived out in the church.

Love is patient. The Greek language has several words for “patience.” One signifies patience with circumstances while another is used only in reference to patience with people. The Lord knows we need both kinds of patience, but it is this second word that is found here. The KJV renders this word “long-suffering.” I like this! Paul seems to be saying that love doesn’t have a short fuse. It doesn’t lose its temper easily. A person who exercises agape love does not lose patience with people. Love never says, “I’ll give you just one more chance.” Love is patient.
I'm going to end this with a verse from 1 Corinthians 13:7 . " Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Now find a friend and tell them how much they mean to you. Find someone you haven't met yet and get to know them. Make new friends and love on them."

The pastor closed his Bible and walked off the podium. I was attacked by Sarah. She was hugging me extremely tight.

"I love you Riley! I love you, I love you, I love you!"

"Thanks Sarah but I can't breathe!"

She let go. I love this girl but sometimes she doesn't know the limit. She doesn't always have a filter but she's fun to have around. I still sat in my seat not willing to get up to talk to people. I looked around me and saw people greeting each others with handshakes or hugs. Everyone here seems so loving and welcoming. I started packing my Bible in my bag when I tilted my head up and I saw Harry across the room. I stayed in my position in shock. I only saw him here in church once, and that was when he was forced. His piercing green eyes were starring into mine. He shook his head, allowing his hair to move from side to side. Trying to push his hair further across his forehead. I tried looking for his mom to see if she was here. He could have been forced to come here again. I didn't see her. I looked back to where Harry was but he was gone within a flash. Just like last night at the graveyard.

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I decided to share a few words with some people. Sarah got to see the Teen Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. She hasn't stopped talking about it. She loves them so much. I don't see why. They're creepy, huge slimy turtles? No thanks. Danny wants to show me his new cat so I'm going to his place this week to see her and swim at his. Everyone seemed to have something fun going on in their life which is good but it made me feel like my life is miserable. Which it is part of the time.

I walked towards my car. I saw there was a note under the whippers. My first instinct was a ticket. I rushed over annoyed with myself. What did I do wrong?

"Riley. I didn't come here to torture you. I'm sorry if I did. I just have to make sure you're always safe. I still need to see that beautiful face of yours. And you look absolutely stunning in the dress I got you."

I looked down at my dress that Harry got me for my birthday. It was most definitely made for me. He chose a great dress. After admiring it I twirled around trying to see if Harry was watching nearby. He wasn't in sight. I don't like this. This passing notes thing! Just talk to me face to face Harry, stop being a wuss! I can't live like this. I need him and he needs me. He knows it! Like the pastor said earlier. "Love never gives up." I won't give up. "Never lose faith." I'm not losing faith. "Endures through every circumstance.

We've both been through so much together and we've pulled through it till now. One more bump in the road isn't going to stop us from being together.

Notes

The sermon I found online.

I know not all people are religious so I hope you don't get offended by this chapter. People can believe what they liked to and I respect that :)

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