love, love, love! v.2

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It 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." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

_________

Today, my parents celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary. 

I have a vague idea of how my parents met because until now, my mom is very evasive as to how they two fell in love with each other. As I reflected on their shared lives, I realized it does not matter. What matters is how they lived while for more than half of their marriage they were physically apart from each other. It was never perfect, nor was it near to being one. 

I've witnessed episodes of fighting and forgiving; cold treatments and hours of overseas calls; frustrations and acceptance; ticking off and enormous tests of patience; giving, taking, and giving back; hardships, perseverance, and victories. It went up and sometimes it slides down. They would fall out of love, then fall in again.

Yet through it all, I knew that love abounds. It may come from one or both of them at a given time but I am more certain that a God with overflowing Love supplies the love they need to see the marriage through. This love kept them together despite the distance. It impelled them to forgive despite the hurts. It gave them eyes to see beyond the wrinkles and widening hips. It transformed each of them into beauty. God's love kept on burning for them to share the warmth of their own love. God's love surely perfected their love for each other.

Twenty-eight years may have passed, but the celebration continues. From today until forever I pray that the Spirit of God would rest upon them to continue pruning them until they reach the perfection of God's divine plan for their lives. For now, I seek for God's mercy and graces to fall upon them: that they may remain faithful to each other and to the vows they exchanged; that they may fulfill they're roles as partners; Most importantly, may love always win, always reign.