Love is Patient

Yesterday I was able to fly back home for my childhood friend, Katelyn's, wedding.  It was a beautiful moment to see the marriage of two people that God had brought together.  

This whole week, love has been on the brain.  One of the most cited verses about love is 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (illustrated in the infographic above) .... kind of a tall order, yeah?  While the scripture is inspiring and fulfilling, it is also daunting.  Love is all of those things, all the time?  And you're supposed to love the entire world, like that, all of the time?  That's not always easy.  It's hard to measure up to God's expectations for us, since he has set such an exemplary model of abundant love.  

The only place to start is at the beginning, and to remember that love is indeed patient.

This means several things to me. 

1.  It means that the Lord will be patient with me when I make mistakes.

2.  It means that people who love me will be patient with me as I grow and mature.

3.  It means that I will constantly be reminded of the importance of showing patience towards others, as it is a way that I can show love.  

And lastly, it means that love will approach me when I am patient...  which is such a peaceful feeling.

  

The 100

Oh, everyone loves love.  Or at least the idea of love.  Whichever.

Oprah said it is helpful to make a list of the top 100 qualities you want in a special "other".  And since I always do what Oprah says...

Here is my 100:

1. Loves and lives for Jesus.  
2. Will go on sunset runs with me.
3. Likes banana smoothies.
4. Isn't afraid of heights or roller coasters or sky diving or bungee jumping. 
5. Will adopt a penguin with me. 
6. Likes to travel. 
7. Can ski a double-black-diamond without dying.
8. Will go on all-day hiking adventure. 
9. Likes cats.
10. Someone who will cook dinner with me.
11. Plays an instrument.
12. Wears Sperrys. 
13. Isn't afraid to eat pink ice cream. 
14. Knows how to use a coffee maker. 
15. Appreciates classical music. 
16. Can fix my car.
17. Likes Mini Coopers.
18. Watched all of Arrested Development and understood the subtle hilarity. 
19. Watched Beauty and the Beast.
20. Will sing Christmas songs loudly in the car with me. 
21. Plays baseball... or can at least hold their own on a slow pitch softball league.
22. Will go to Times Square for New Years Eve. 
23. Rule: No chin straps.
24. Wants to stroll the impressionist section of the Louvre. 
25. Reads blogs. 
26. Thinks for themselves on political issues.
27. Will teach me how to golf.
28. Is equally obsessed the magic bullet infomercial.
29. Understands basic economic principles. 
30. Wears grey or black socks.
31. Shops at H&M
32. Still cries during the stampede scene of the Lion King.
33. Washes their face every night.
34. Likes decorating.
35. Checks the weather 5 times a day like I do.
36. Refuses to actively participate in Twitter. 
37. Knows how to tie a tie.
38. Can solve a 5 star sodoku.
39. Gets along with my little broski.
40. Motivated; doesn't suck at life.
41. Is loyal to friendships.
42. Owns argyle socks.
43. Has good taste in sunglasses.
44. Trims fingernails on a regular basis.
45. Watched every single episode of Boy Meets World.
46. Can speak "un peu de francais"
47. Optimistic and encouraging.
48. Someone who will never stop trying.
49. A good listener who remembers what I say.
50. Makes lists and then doesn't follow them.
51. Gives good massages. 
52. Someone whose positive attitude makes them a good leader.
53. Is open to the idea of peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches. 
54. Understands the importance of buying girls flowers.
55. Will stargaze for hours upon hours.
56. Has a shining smile.  
57. Understands the beauty of humility. 
58. Has a loving heart for the world.
59. Had a job in high school.
60. Has a good sense of humor.
61. Enjoys the sport of educated debates.
62. Reduce, Reuses, Recycles.
63. Can ice skate.
64. Has a pair of geeky (but awesomely adorable) glasses.
65. Reads for fun.
66. Competitive. 
67. Financially smart, but will still buy me a Mini Cooper.
68. Wants to host parties.
69. Will browse on pinterest with me.
70. Will have random dance parties with me.
71. Considerate of others' feelings. 
72. Drinks diet coke.
73. Will speak in a British accent at our high school reunions. 
74. Loves Christmas shopping.
75. Will camp out in front of the Chick-Fil-A Grand Openings with me to win a free years supply of sammiches.
76. Likes artichokes.
77. Appreciates sound quality and will invest in good speakers.
78. Wants to own a boat.
79. Will fly across the country to go to Coachella with me.
80. Will make me heart shaped pancakes on Valentines Day.
81. Is awkward.
82. Understands technology better than me.
83. Has dreams, aspirations, and goals that they are willing to relentlessly work for.
84. Gets along with and respects his mom.
85. Will write me a love letter.
86. Owns a suit.
87. Likes shopping at Target more than Walmart.  
88. Will call in sick to work and take spontaneous road trips.
89. Insists on owning a trampoline.
90. Notices the little things.
91. Has to be 100% honest.
92. Isn't afraid to express his feelings.
93. Isn't afraid of love.
94. Doesn't take anything for granted.
95. Takes care of his physical possessions.
96. Forgives.
97. Forehead kisses.
98. Doesn't talk during the Super Bowl commercials.
99. Loves to laugh.
100. Loves to live.