He's our Protector

1 Corinthians 13:7a
Love...always protects, always trusts...

Proverbs 3:6-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

When we're at home our dog, Tater, parks himself between us. He's our protector. Without a doubt, he'd place himself between me and an attacker. That's just who he is. He's a good dog who loves us. He trusts us, too. He knows he'll be fed, watered, and walked every

day. If my dog can show love through protection and trust, I can too. With my children, I've always been the mother bear. Protection mode, all the time. My husband loves me by watching out for me, and I love that. But what about the part, love always trusts? Yes, Tater trusts us to take care of him. But maybe there's more to loving and trusting.

I believe God wants us to not just trust the people we love, but to entrust them to him.

One of the most difficult things I've ever done is turn my loved ones' safety, health, and life over to the one who loves them the most. At times, as a mama bear my anxiety choked my ability to think straight. I felt helpless. No matter what I thought I could do, it wasn't enough. That's when I knew I had to look up and pray to God. The one I entrust my loved ones to needed to hear my pleas. He's the one I truly have faith in. It's not easy to let go and give our needs to God. But I know when I do, God gives me strength and comfort. He pours his peace over me. I'll admit, I still struggle with letting go and letting God. But that doesn't keep me from trusting in him and crying out.

Love always protects and trusts when we hand our cares and worries over to the one we believe can move a mountain. Even when the situation seems impossible, God cares and listens. The creator and worker of miracles loves you more than you and those you love even know. Trust the Lord with all your heart because he loves you.

True Love

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

February the month of Love

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Tim and I married on October 31, 1992. Over twenty-two year ago, we combined our families— my three daughters and his son and daughter, ages ranged eight to fifteen. One year from March to July, all five were teenagers. With lots of love for each other and for each child, we rejoiced with them, high school and college graduations, weddings, and babies, plus all the daily joys. We protected them the best we could and comforted them in heartbreak and injury. We trusted them to make good decisions and hoped for the best. Our love persevered. Now with eight grandchildren in the mix, we experience more love than we imagined.

God feels the same way about his children. When we choose truth, he rejoices. Through his Spirit he protects us and in free will he trusts us to make the best choices. The hope he gave us outweighs all hope. Through Jesus we look forward to eternal life. God’s love perseveres. His love never, ever fails. On Valentine’s Day we send messages to the people we love. Buy flowers and chocolate. This day I want to send a prayer of thanks to the Father who loves me. Praise God for true love.