What does Overflowing Love look like?

1 Corinthians 13

No Regrets! Those were the words of a wife whose husband had suddenly died some years ago. She was recalling the many marriage enrichment classes and workshops they had attended over the years and was sharing that it seemed he was doing everything right and it was her that needed to step up in their relationship. “He always treated me with honor and never raised his voice at me,” she recalled with tears streaming down her face. “Marty, I can honestly say I have no regrets concerning our marriage and our relationship.” “There is no ‘I wish I had or he had’ done this or been that.” Wow, what a testimony to have a marriage relationship that has suddenly ended be able to say “no regrets.”

1 Corinthians 13 speaks of a “no regrets” love as being patient with our spouse and family when they are so different from us….it speaks of that love as being kind when others frustrate us…it holds that we are not selfishly jealous of our own thoughts and opinions or arrogant in thinking we are always right. A “no regrets” love does not act unrighteously, it does not seek its own way in selfish thought or action, it is under control and it does not hold grudges, but offers forgiveness. A “no regrets” love has joy in being and doing things in a truthful and Godly way. Finally, verses 7&8 tells us that a “no regrets” love stays committed in tough times, believes the best in others, finds hope in God’s purpose and finishes well….because that kind of love does not fail and a “no regrets” love finds its source in the Lord Jesus Christ. The context of 1 Corinthians teaches us that all talents, abilities and knowledge is of no value without the foundation of a “no regrets” type of love.

I pray that it is each of our desires at the end of every day that in our family life we can say “no regrets” and we would be able to rest at night knowing we have loved our spouse and honored our God by honoring our family. At the end of a long & hard day I trust you will have saved some of the “best of you” to share with your family. To have no regrets is to be at total peace with God, ourselves and that we have been faithful with what He has entrusted us with for the day.

When I come to the full understanding of the Christmas and Easter message, I am confronted with the truth that Christ paid it all…He left nothing out…He gave all…He served all….He ministered to all…He surrendered all and He overcame all. He could simply say “No Regrets.” May the power, peace, provision, and purpose of God so reign in your life as you seek to be a “family on purpose” for His kingdom…..with “no regrets.”

Humbled,

Marty