Love is ... And does ... And doesn't ...

Dear Victorious,

I know what the famous chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 about love. It's a beautiful definition of love. But in everyday life, it seems easier said than done. What's a practical way to look at love and actually be able to live it out?

Tina T. - Rockville, MD

Dear Tina,

Well, the easiest thing I can think of would actually be a homework assignment for you. Seriously. Sit down with your Bible, a pen, and some paper. Read 1 Corinthians 13. And then start thinking of situations in your life where someone didn't show you that kind of love. And start thinking of situations in your life where you didn't show someone else that kind of love. And then starting writing it out.

Make it a project, as if God had asked you to "finish 1 Corinthians 13 for Him." Here are some examples that come to mind:

Love does hold it over my head and keep putting me down when I forget its birthday.
Love doesn't drag up all my mistakes from the past when we're in an argument.
Love, doesn't get mad when someone else at the last of ice cream and didn't put it on the grocery list (to buy more).
Love picks up the litter that it walks over in the parking lot at the mall.
Love returns the shopping cart to the store or the cart corral at Wal Mart.
Love doesn't cut the expiration date off of coupons so it can try to use them.
Love drives within the posted speed limit - even when there are no cops around.

Are you getting the picture here? Certainly you've been on the receiving and giving end of love that didn't do its job. So list out those situations. In fact, make it a running list and keep jotting things down as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind.