And The Greatest of These is Love

I am celebrating seven rich months of my mission life in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
As beautiful and deep as many have my experiences have been in just over 1/2 of a year, there have also been many challenges.

I have often said to loved ones in the States that I have been so surprised that many of the things that I thought would challenge me — really don’t. And, that many of the things I thought would not challenge me (or that I did not even know would be a challenge) — do.

There has been so much change, so many adjustments, and as I have repeated at least 1,000 times in these monthly email updates: so much learning.

And, if you have been following along, a lot of that learning has been occurring during my time at the girls’ home, Nuestra Casa. It is a blessing and a privilege to accompany these girls, and I am grateful each day.

Below, I share some thoughts and reflections on a familiar Scripture passage (whether you practice Christianity or not, I’m sure you will recognize it).

I eagerly invite any and all of you who are willing to read the following words slowly, letting them marinate in your soul and heart, to reflect along with me. Your personal faith and religion are not prerequisites in order to examine these reflections and questions. You will find the universality of love transcends all differences here.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends

But as for prophesies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child;

when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now, I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

And now, faith, hope, and love abide, these three;

And the greatest of all these is love.

The love I share with the girls, the love they share with me, Love Itself whom is present in the middle of it all is the most important.

~ What does it mean for you to love others? To receive love from others?

~ Do you identify love only as a sentiment or a a prize? Or, is love a choice — a way to orient your life?

~ How has love transformed your life? Can you reflect on the changes you see in yourself and your relationships, through the lens of these characteristics of love?

~ Does your love include only those in your family or close circle of friends? Or, do you extend it to all whom you encounter on a daily basis?

~ Do you place the choice to love others [and yourself] first in your actions? Or, does it come behind the other demands of life — such as work, your to-do list, or your politics?

Thank you for reflecting and meditating with me today. Thank you for opening yourself up to read my personal thoughts.

I personally believe the beauty of this life often lies in the “gray areas” of our experiences — where there does not seem to be clear-cut, easy, and straightforward answers. My reflections on this Scripture passage, on Love, on how to be the best accompaniment I can to the people God has placed in my life, are in no ways definite, full, or without flaws. However, I choose to be grateful and see the beauty in this growth process.

I hope and pray for deep reflection, gratitude, and peace in your own life.

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