In celebration of Valentine’s Day, here is a poem I wrote for my town library’s haiku contest. As with the plants decorating my living room, love–the care and affection I have for my husband, family, and friends–is very much subject to my diligence in caring for it. Have you noticed this in your relationships, too? If you want some ideas where to start, think about the qualities described in the famous “love chapter” from the Bible:
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, New American Standard Bible
I see things here that I can tend to. I can weed out selfishness, sprinkle on some kindness, prune away grudges. Left untended, my love gets pretty scrubby before I know what’s happening. But as I strive to put God’s Word into practice, not only do my relationships start to “perk up” and blossom, but so often the feelings that we think of as love get stoked up as well.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love for me, and for the great lengths to which Your love has gone. Help me remember to tend to my love for my husband and others. When my relationships seem parched, help me recognize ways to nurture them back to vibrant, flourishing gardens that reflect the love I have received–and am learning to give–from You.