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.