Coming home from Austin this morning I made a call to Neal to see how everything was going and to figure out the plan for the day. My parents were due in from a trip they’d made for a Mardi Gras ball in Galveston and I also knew that Neal had been home all weekend with the boys and all of these other kids and men in the house. The minute I heard Neal’s dismal, weary voice I knew my mini vacation was over. I would be coming home to a sick husband, Seth needing to go instantly to baseball practice and Ryan begging me to take him to Best Buy because he just has to buy something.
My husband was really sick – achy back, stiff arms, pale face, couldn’t eat but no fever. I bustled in and out making sure not to wake him, glanced around the house to make sure it was picked up and much to my pleasant surprise it was nice and tidy. The rest of the day went without a hitch, though it was a great contrast to the easy going weekend. I couldn’t complain because everyone was being taken care of and my parents even had an hour to nap while I took the kids to Best Buy!
Finally, at then end of the day we went to mass and I had the great privilege of reading (lecturing) the 2nd reading:
As I prepared by reading it over I realized I knew all to well what Paul was trying to relay in this message.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
I made a conscience effort today to not complain. I felt too guilty for one thing, having just spent two days doing really nothing but enjoying myself and relaxing, but yet I’m not going to lie and say I wish I didn’t have to literally hit the door running the minute I got home. But the reading tonight reminded me that the love for my family (and friends, and even enemies) goes beyond any frivolous whining.
And truly, this is what hit home to me the most:
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
I could have all the faith in the world, been given the most amazing gifts and blessings by God, and feel that I know Him in an intimate way…but if I do not find it within me to love everyone around me, not just in emotion but by action as well, then I am (and have) nothing.
Thank you, God, for the reminder. 🙂
Blessings!
Shannon