How is your love life?

Seriously! There ain't no one here right now but me and you....so really...how is your love life? You and I come in contact with lots of people each day. For me as my day begins, I take our Chocolate Lab Hershee for a walk, but my mind already starts running. The first people I encounter those that know me best...my family. Often in my hurried approach to begin my day, my actions are quick and my love life gets slack. Then I rush the girls to school where I rush them into their respective classes and then I rush over to my office. I rush past housekeeping staff that have been working since 5:30 making our office clean and our bathrooms bearable. I rush open the door to my office and immediately check the red flashing light on my phone to see if there is a message. In the meantime, I am constantly looking at my Blackberry to check emails, texts, and messages there so I can be sure I am on top of it all. I rush through greeting co-workers. Then tasks, assignments and problems all begin battling for my time and attention. Then it is on like Donkey Kong throughout the rest of the day! My point is that my day is full of lots of things but it seems that love is last if not lost.

I am drawn to the familiar passage in I Corinthians 13 as I think about this and immediately I think of adjustments that are needed. More patience, more kindness, but less envious thinking, less boasting, less pride, and then I see the punchline: selfishness. My psychology professor at Mars Hill College many years ago shared with me that "selfishness was the sin that stinks all the way to heaven." All of the sudden, I realize that my selfishness stinks a raunchy smell that indeed has to stink all the way to heaven. It all goes back to choices I have made but ultimately my choice to how I spend time with my Creator. The overflow of the time I spend with my Creator will determine if I love patiently, with kindness, and possess the other characteristics of the love described in this great passage.

Maybe it is spiritual ADD, but all of the sudden my mind goes to a song by Larnelle Harris many years ago. Check out the passion of these words:
There He was just waiting,
in our old familiar place.
an empty spot beside Him,
where I used to wait
to be filled with strength and wisdom
for the battles of the day
I would have passed Him by again
if I didn't hear Him say...

I miss my time with you
those moments together
I need to be with you each day
and it hurts me to hear you say
you're too busy
busy trying to serve me
but how can you serve me
when your spirit's too empty
there's a longing in my heart
wanting more than just a part of you
it's true
I miss my time with you!

What do I have to offer
how can I truly care
my efforts have no meaning
when your presence isn't there
but you will provide the power
if I take the time to pray
I will stay right here beside Him
and you will never have to say... I miss my time with you.
How is your love life? Mine needs work.