Ahhhhh, Valentine's Day. A day that always reminds me of one of my all time favorite scriptures, Corinthians 1--3:4, 7-8. I am sure most of you can say it with me:
Love is patient, love is kind,
Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
hopes all things.
Love never ends.
When I was younger and newly married to Daddy Weasley , the verses spoke of romantic love---- to be patient and learn each other quirks, to suffer through the storms together because that was the only way to endure them. To trust one another. To believe in each others strengths and weaknesses as we built the foundation for our family all while growing together as husband and wife.
But as so many perspectives changed and morphed with the arrival of each baby, so did the definition of this scripture. As each year passes with four kids, it is painfully clear that life is not full of sitcom moments that can be solved with a smile, a wink and a laugh tract. Life as a parent is full of head banging moments that make you question your abilities to raise your kids without scarring them for life.
And lately, with three teenagers in the house (because Haybug may be twelve, but her body is going on 20), I find the trying moments are starting to outweigh the easy ones. In those situations I just remind myself of these verses, my mantra if you will, so we will all survive these trying adolescent years.
Love is patient when you innocently head downstairs to get something from the garage and you find every inch of the playroom floor covered in a Lego mass explosion because the twins are looking for one particular piece. Love is kind when you are able to fight the urge to suck all the pieces up with the vacuum after you impale said piece into your bare foot.
Love endures all things when you find yourself hopelessly immersed in the adolescent years. As you find yourself dealing with the daily issues of bad attitudes, back talking and always questioning teenagers, your love for them endures. Not just because you are prevented to kill them by law; but also for the fact that despite all the hormone induced changes in attitudes and body, you are still able to catch a glimpse of that sweet child you hold so dear as they peek out through the hormone haze.
Love believes all things goes both ways once you have a child. My children will always believe that no matter the situation, Daddy Weasley and I will be able to handle it. They will always believe that Mom and Dad can chase the monsters from under the bed, that we can kiss away the hurt, and most important, that they will always be loved. And as a mom, I will always believe that I have the brightest, funniest, and best children in the world (even when they are trying to kill each other).Despite their faults , despite the teenager thing, I believe that my children are the greatest blessings I have been given by God.....they are the ultimate masterpieces in all that I have accomplished.
The love I have for my children makes me hope that they will have all their dreams come true. I hope that they all meet and marry their soul mates. I hope that they will give me tons of grandbabies to love, to cherish and to believe in. Because as we are reminded, Love hopes all things.
And above all of this, after I am just a memory, I pray that my children will always be able to remember just how much they mean to me. How much I love and cherish them. And really, there shouldn't be any doubt. After all.....Love never ends.
