Reconcile

What if today rather than boxes of chocolate and cards, you sought to show love to someone who frustrates you?
What if today rather than only hanging out with those who are easy to love, you did the riskier thing of loving your enemies?
What if today rather than only speaking about sappy, sentimental love, we delve deep into just how radical love can be.

Love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude, the Apostle Paul prophetically and powerfully wrote.
We read those words over couples promising, pledging, covenanting to spend their lives together.
Then, we promptly forget them the second we walk out of the church to go to the reception.
Because that kind of love is demanding.
That kind of love is draining.
That kind of love would challenge and change us.

Love is patient.  I think of how I sit in the car waiting for my family to finish just one more thing, but I want to leave so we won't be late.
Love is patient.  I think of listening to someone even when I want to chime in with my own story.
Love is kind.  I think about saying words that won't just prove my point but seek to connect to the other person.
Love is kind.  I think about deciding that I don't always need to demand my way.
Love isn't envious or boastful...I don't have to brag, love is content to be share like a dessert with two forks.
Love isn't envious or boastful...it isn't a balance sheet.  Or to offer a quote, "Some of the most meaningful parts of life can't be counted...and often what can be counted are not that meaningful."

Love isn't arrogant or rude...but that doesn't seem to sell today.  Not on the news channels we consume.  Not in the ways the leaders relate.  Not even in our interactions. 
Love isn't arrogant or rude...what an hopelessly out-of-date idea. 

Only it might be the only one that can save us.
Only it might be the only way we can find our way.
Only it might offer us more than a trace of grace not just on this Valentine's Day but this election year.

May it be so for you and me and our broken/torn world to be mended.
Amen.