Love

Love               for Joel Maderer

Ruth 1:16-17
There is love
Between us.
Don't ask me
To leave this place,
For where you are
Is where
I want to be.

I Corinthians 13
Come in love,
Come and see
What love is.
Let us all learn
About love
And learn to share
That love abroad.

I Corinthians 13:1-3
I am a person,
A child of God,
But even if
I can speak
Many languages
Or become
The best preacher,
And there is no love,
It is all for nothing.

I Corinthians 13:4-7
If I have love,
I have learned
To be patient
With those around me.
Kindness and gentleness
Are a part of my life,
And I treat other people
With such care
That they know
That God is
Always with me.

I Corinthians 13:8-10
Love is always
A part of my life.
All other gifts
Such as speaking
Or knowledge
Are temporary,
And will pass away,
But love is
Always there for me.

I Corinthians 13:11-12
I once was a child,
And had childish ways,
But now I have
Given that up.
I see now
As through a mirror,
But one day
I will meet God,
And see completely
All that is,
And know completely
What love is.

I Corinthians 13:13
Faith is here with me,
And I do believe.
I hope for all
That is to come,
A better life for all.
But Love abides forever
And is the greatest of all.