Love- a word that comes and goes, but few people really know what it means to love someone… A few months ago I read a story about a woman who had an alcholic husband. For years she did everything she could to help him stop this addictive habit. But at the same time she tried to be a supportive wife. She told their children he had a brain tumor and never let them guess the real reason for their father’s often absursd behavior. Furthermore, she would call his job every Monday and say that her husband was sick. In reality he was too drunk to go to work and she was trying to hide it from his coworkers and boss. Then one day she went to a meeting for wives of alcholics. The wives learned tactics to truly help their husband. Previously, her help had enabled him to continue drinking. Now she refused to tell lies for him or call in for him every Sunday. When her husband came face to face with the consequences of his action as his children and relatives lost respect for him, he was forced to rethink his habits. In less than a year he was able to stop being an alcholic. Amazing huh? It just made me think about what it really means to help someone. And I always want to help in such a way that the person does not become dependent on me.
Love is patient and kind and does not rejoice in evil. I ‘ve been thinking about love these days. How hard it is for me to do it and how hard it is for me to receive it. I think I’m so preoccupied with my unworthiness of receiving it that I forget to love others. I cringe when I get compliments. I think I’m more used to and comfortable with insults. But I hope this doesn’t mean I’m supersensitive and wishy washy. Well, I think I’m sensitive but strong at the same time. Like it may hurt a lot that I was reprimanded but I’ll still listen and take heed of the advice or criticism given. Also I find it very painful to see a lack of love. Do you know what I mean? Like some people are treated so badly and you ask yourself how come nobody has ever loved them?
I Corinthians 13 If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. I t is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
This is I think is the ultimate authority on love and the best definition I have seen thus far.
Where’s the love?
When I walk into a situation look around and see nothing which distinguishes Christians from everyone else it’s very disturbing. Our lives and our conversations should reflect the object of our adoration, no? When I’m talking to some of my christian girl friends and all they want to do is daydream about boys and relationships etc. I get superannoyed. Especially since it is no way guided by Christian principles. In fact some of my p.c Friends are less boycrazy. I’m only bringing this up cuz I ago around for days just pondering the lack of love I see. Where is it? Why does it elude us? At the same time, when I see love in action it really stops me in my tracks. It’s such a rare and sparkling jewel, you just want to bask in it and come closer.
Last weekend was really good. Lots of friend, no work and a car to drive around the bay area. On Saturday I went to the restaurant of the month in chinatwon, which I found on the web with my friend then we drove to San Rafael, then to Davis and back down to Stanford. I learned how to parallel park in SF as 3 people yelled suggestions, directions and other helpful bits of info. I also had pearl milk tea for the first time, so that was pretty exciting. I kept asking my friend why the vietnamese restaurants didn’t have it. But she just laughed at me silently. I also asked a ton of questions at the café which made them really amused at my ignorance. Purple tea? They told me it didn’t exist. Anyhow the last and maybe grandest adventure was getting to safeway on el camino from stanford without a car. We took a taxi from the Palo Alto Train Station, cost $3.80 (3 of us in the cab). We then attempted to get a taxi back to campus but it didn't work out. Instead we accepted a ride from a worker at Andronico’s at aprrox 1:45 am. Dangerous, but fun. Anyhow when he dropped us off at Stanford, he said God bless you.
Sunday was really good. Not as much fun as Saturday, but still enjoyable. We went to jubilee christian center in SJ. Of course I got lost even though I had directions, and a map in the car. But the service was really nice. It made me miss Faithful Central a little.
It is at times is overwhelming to work so much . Monday I woke up, and thought of the major items I needed to take care of and how I could do it during my 30 minute lunch time. I felt like my world was about to cave in any minute and it was only 7:45, I was already late for work. I could see I was facing an uphill battle. So I got out of bed found a phone and left a message with boss # 1 that I wasn’t coming to work. I climbed back into bed and slept in till 9:30. Can you imagine? I felt like I slept in cuz I woke up at 9:30am, A month ago that was waking up early. It felt so good, yet simultaneously I felt like I was ditching. But I took a nap, a long time reading the good book and read the newspaper. It was so refreshing to have the freedom to take care of my personal business. But here I am back at work but sort of energized. I’m not sure if it’s the mocha I drank or the rest I got yesterday.