It pains me to write parts of this post. It really does. For on this day 40 years ago, my Mom and Dad welcomed me into this world (talk about patient!). If you know me, or ask my Wife, you will find out that the LAST thing I want to do is make some big spectacle out of this day. I’m not having trouble dealing with the “big four oh” or anything like that. Actually I just don’t see it as a big deal. As I’ve said, my body feels 60 and I act like I’m about 13 years old. 40 is really just a number.
To me at least…
This is where todays lesson comes in. As we continue to look at the Love Chapter from 1 Corinthians 13, it is only appropriate that the next words are “Love is Kind”. You see, I was given an amazing gift for my birthday. I responded by promptly returning said gift. In my mind it was for all of the right reasons. Yet there were other elements involved. What I failed to consider is the kindness of the gift and the love behind it’s purchase. Over the weekend my Dad, another person that loves me, showed the same kindness with an offer to help pay for the gift again. This was my second opportunity to see what I had failed to see.
I don’t know if you’re like me, but I am a terrible “gift receiver”. I’m not real sure I know how to receive love. It’s not in my love language. I don’t like big parties in my honor and I don’t want a focus put on things like birthdays. It’s just the way I’m wired. But guess what…
It’s not about me.
Love is kind. Gifts are kind. People love to give gifts. To not accept these opportunities and expressions of love is as rude as not loving in return. Love is being kind to realize that someone loves you. Love is kind to realize that they are trying to express that love. The lesson I have learned the last few days is that love is kind to accept those that want to love on you.
Shame on me for not accepting that love and for not allowing others to be kind.
Thank you to my Wife, my Dad and all of the others that made this incredible gift possible. You are all too kind and I love you.
AARON CONRAD 