Because Life is a Gift at Best

If only we all loved each other like

little girl besties...

...or as if tomorrow would be too late!

When somebody disappoints us

When a word or action stings

And spite’s bitter brunt anoints us

With retaliation’s flings

Lest perspective is mistaken

And reason misunderstood

Though our happiness is shaken

Let’s repay offense with good

Because love is kind and humble

And keeps no record of wrong

We all sometimes slip and stumble

As we learn to get along

So let’s forgive, without measure

No nursed grudges, unconfessed

Robbing us of holy treasure/pleasure

For life is a gift at best

When malicious retributions

Rush to settle some sad score

Let’s rekindle resolutions

To love one another more

Before the circle is broken

And earth claims its solemn due

Let’s not leave Heaven unspoken

As its Token runs us through

Today grants fresh invitations

To engage in charity  

Love is the healer of nations

Beginning with you and me

Thus we, all in this together

Ought to augment joy and peace

Gathered by time's tender tether

That is destined to release 

Janet Martin

1 Cor.13

If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels,

 but do not have love, 

I am only a resounding gong 

or a clanging cymbal.

 2 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 do not have love, 

I am nothing. 

3 If I give all I possess to the poor 

and give over my body to hardship

that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, 

I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, 

it does not boast, 

it is not proud. 

5 It does not dishonor others, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

6 Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth. 

7 It always protects, 

always trusts, 

always hopes, 

always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. 

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; 

where there are tongues, they will be stilled; 

where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, 

I thought like a child, 

I reasoned like a child. 

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; 

then we shall see face to face. 

Now I know in part; 

then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.