If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have a prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, b so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 c If I give away all I have, and d if I deliver up my body to be burned, [1] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 e Love is patient and f kind; love g does not envy or boast; it h is not arrogant 5 or rude. It i does not insist on its own way; it j is not irritable or resentful; [2] 6 it k does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but l rejoices with the truth. 7 m Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, e endures all things.

8 Love never ends.

Love for my family is the biggest hindrance and inconsistency in my Christian life. My family is screwed up and so many times I just want to hide it. I try to run away from it and suppress the reality of the brokenness. My brother says he'll never believe in my Christ because I do not live the life. He says I'm a "closet Christian." As much as I wanted to fight against it, his words do ring true. How can I teach about love, when I do not love my own father and brother? How can I teach about patience if I am not patient with my family? Paul even goes on to say that "If I give up all possessions, and have not love....I gain nothing." This is really profound. Because I am willing to give everything I have for my screwed up family, but in the name of justice and not love. God, would you do a work in me to teach me to love the unlovable. Remind me of how much you loved me when I hated you and rejected you. Remind me of how you forgive those who crucified you. Remind me of your love.