April 4
Scripture: Prov 22:6
Source author: Louise D. Flanders
April 14
Love Is Patient and Kind Love is patient and kind. —1 Corinthians 13:4
I can still see them sitting at the kitchen table, Mother with one hand extended, fingers spread wide apart, and Daddy carefully applying bright red polish to each nail. Mother received a diagnosis of diabetes too late to stop the progression of damage to her eyes. In spite of multiple laser treatments, she eventually became legally blind. Daddy, not a patient person by nature, not only treated her to a weekly manicure, he also took her for daily walks, gently holding her arm and guiding her steps. He frequently accompanied her to the store and patiently helped her select the perfect dress. And each morning he carefully applied her makeup before they left the house. He often applied rouge and lipstick a little too generously, but the end result was not as important as the act of love it represented. Their unselfish love for one another raised the bar a notch higher, motivating me not only to verbalize my love for family and friends, but also to actively look for ways to demonstrate it.
Demonstrating patience and kindness to those around us in concrete ways blesses and enriches us as well. — Louise D. Flanders —