LOVE ALWAYS WINS

Is there a glimmer of hope to help us get through the storm in a world where difficulties and misfortunes seem to rule supreme? The words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 resound through the channels of our souls as we navigate the stormy waters of life: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."As we dive into the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, a couple tasked with the tremendous hurdle of raising two challenging teens, these words become incredibly true. They had a difficult time navigating the stormy waters of adolescence, but it is through their tale that we learn about the transformational power of love and the steadfast route to success.

Imagine a home where the sounds of arguing, slamming doors, and parents' quiet cries of frustration reverberate nonstop. The Collins family was at a turning point in their lives as they dealt with their teenagers' rebellious tendencies. They resorted to the ageless knowledge contained in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8, which defines love as a power that overcomes everything, during these depressing times. Verse 4 tells us that love is patient, and the Collins’ did use patience as armor during their conflict. They held fast to the conviction that underneath the tumultuous exterior of adolescent turmoil, there were souls who yearned for empathy and acceptance. "There were times when I wanted to lash out, to demand respect," Mrs. Collins says with tears in her eyes. Still, I had to remind myself that love is tolerant. It was more important to endure with grace than it was to get quick results. Other passages strengthened Collins’s commitment and provided them with comfort. Their approach to parenting was based on Proverbs 22:6, which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This became their motto, a reminder that love entails constant guidance in addition to discipline. 

The Collins turned back to 1 Corinthians 13 and discovered a guiding principle in verse 5, which asserts that love is not easily enraged. Although the journey was difficult, they decided to address rebellion with understanding rather than wrath. "There were times when we had to bite our tongues and choose understanding over anger," Mr. Collins muses. It was more important to win individuals over than to win discussions." The transformational power of love, as expressed in lines 7-8, was reflected in their journey: "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Love never fails." When the going became tough, these verses were a beacon of hope for them, encouraging them to keep going. 

One crucial turning point in their story sticks out: a vulnerable moment that altered their family's course. During a heart-to-heart moment, Mrs. Collins decided to share her worries and challenges with her adolescents. Love was able to enter her children's hearts via such vulnerability. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is an intimate and shared experience rather than only an outside force. Gradually, the disobedient hearts yielded to the enduring music of love that reverberated throughout their house. The triumph was one of unification, a unity forged in a place of love, rather than one of domination. The abrasive teenagers started to reflect the affection they had been showered with. It was a triumphant moment not just for the Collins family, but also for the ability of love to transcend difficult circumstances.

Let us take a cue from the Collins family as we negotiate our own rough seas. May we choose to respond to fire with love, a love that is gentle, patient, and persistent, in a society that frequently teaches us to fight fire with fire because love is where we discover the real meaning of success as well as the road to victory. According to Apostle Paul, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." May we live examples of the strength of love never diminishing and the steadfast route to success.