I’m reading a book about people who have had near-death experiences, but return to us here on earth to share about the Heaven they have seen.   When they see Jesus, there seems to be one question, often the first question, that He asks most every person who was interviewed.  Wanna guess what it is?    “How well did you love?”

Of all the things I am longing for in life, I want to be thekindofwife  who loves well.

Husbands and wives, there are many good things vying for our time and attention;  we want to be successful parents, successful in our jobs, successful in life.  We want to have successful marriages, successful kids, beautiful homes, good friends, and even fruitful ministries.

But at the end of life on this earth, I am beginning to understand there will only be one thing that will have mattered.

How well did we love?

How did I speak to my best friend today?  Did I take time to stop what I was doing, look him in the eye, and tell him I’m so glad to be his wife?   Did I remember that he is more important than the task at hand or getting there on time or the latest thing that needs fixing?   Did I remember that whatever life throws our way, it’s how I treat him and speak to him and honor him and cherish him in the midst of it all that matters most?

How well did you love today?

“Love is large and incredibly patient.  Love is gentle and consistently kind to all.  It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else.  Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance.  Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor.  Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.  Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.  Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others.  Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.  Love never stops loving.”

I Corinthians 13: 4-7 TPT

(If you want to take the “How Well Am I Loving?” test, read again or write out the above scripture and replace the word LOVE with your name.)    (However you ‘score’ on the test, finish today by inserting Jesus’ name in the place of Love, and know that this is how He loves you, and therefore, how you can now love your spouse because Love lives in you to do just that when we ask Him!)

“Until then, there are three things that remain:  faith, hope, and love – yet love surpasses them all.  So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.”          I Corinthians 13:13 TPT